Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_02_2020

TUESDAY 2nd June, 2020

503 No.106017

'

more boxes

to be processed SEE STORIES ON PAGES 02&13

…as GECOM records over 1500 rejected ballots for five districts …police confirm 172 persons from list of 207 were out of jurisdiction

Gov’t defends track record

---talks up increase salaries for public sector workers, tax reform 03 PAGE

‘Stop taking COVID-19 for granted’ Atlantic Gardens businesswoman murdered PAGE

12

…suspect arrested after police tear-gassed house

Dead: Sattie Monika Beekharry

--Health authorities warn, ask that persons experiencing signs of the disease contact them 02 PAGE

CXC releases examination dates PAGE

Police escort the murder suspect, Nazeem Ali to a waiting vehicle shortly after arresting him while he was hiding in the attic of a house (Adrian Narine photo)

09

---CSEC, CAPE to begin July 13

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

503 more ballot boxes ‘Stop taking to be processed COVID-19

By Svetlana Marshall WITH 1,836 of the 2,339 ballot boxes already processed, the recount of votes cast at the General and Regional Elections could be completed well ahead of the June 13 deadline --- if all goes well.

Some 503 ballot boxes are therefore left to be processed. On Monday (Day 27), a total of 97 ballot boxes were processed at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) where 12 workstations have been established to recount the votes cast three months ago on March 2. Of the 97 ballot boxes, 36 were from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 33 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 26 from Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice).

“Looking at the rate [at which] we have been moving over the past few days, it means that it is likely that we will complete [the recount] within the new duration that we have," Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward told reporters on the outskirts of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Monday.

Providing a progress report, Ward noted that all of the votes cast in seven (7) of the 10 electoral districts have been recounted and as such, the focus now is on Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region 10 (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice). Six of the 12 work stations, according to Ward, have been assigned to process votes from Region

Four, while three each have been assigned to Regions Six and 10.

All the votes from Region One (Barima-Waini), Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam),

1,927.

In Region One, there were a total of 380 rejected ballots for the general elections, and 328 rejected ballots for the regional leections. In

GECOM PRO Yolanda Ward

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have been recounted.

“Of those seven that have been completed, five [Regions One, Two, Three, Five and Seven] would have been certified,” Ward said, while noting that the Certificates of District Tabulation for the other two regions -- Eight and Nine -- would be signed off soon.

REJECTED BALLOTS According to Ward, as of Monday morning there were 1, 536 rejected ballots for the general elections based on the five electoral districts for which Certificates of District Tabulation have been generated. Rejected ballots for the regional elections totalled

Region Two, there were 251 rejected ballots in the general elections and 380 for the regional elections. Based on the votes processed in Region Three, there were 485 rejected ballots for the general elections and another 618 for the regional elections. There were 256 rejected ballots for Region Five in the general elections and another 374 for the regional elections.

In Region Seven there were 164 rejected ballots in the general elections and 227 for the regional elections.

Ward explained that a ballot is deemed rejected “for want of official mark, which is the stamp, unmarked or void of uncertainty, marked for more than one party’s list of candidates, or mark so that the elector can be identified.”

“Anything within those categories is what constitutes a rejected ballot," she added.

While Ward was able to provide a breakdown of

the ballots rejected thus far based on the five regions certified, she was unable to indicate how many of those ballots were unstamped.

There have been cases in which half of the ballot was stamped and the other half unstamped. According to her, the commission is still deliberating on how it will treat with the ballots that were partially stamped.

“At this point I can’t say where they are at with their discussion,” Ward said, while noting that there is a concern that some of the unstamped ballots may be that of members of the Disciplined Services. The Disciplined Services –- members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force and Guyana Prison Service –- voted 10 days ahead of E-Day. “As you know, the Disciplined Services’ ballots were not stamped when they voted…It is to be stamped at the time of intermixing at the respective polling stations where they have been gazetted to be intermixed; and so because of some of the numbers that were emanating from some of those boxes, it was believed that some of those could have been a case where Disciplined Services ballots were not stamped,” the GECOM PRO explained.

The seven-member elections commission met on Monday at the conference centre, and though the issue reportedly surfaced again, no decision was made. The national recount commenced on May 6 at the centre after an Order was gazetted by the Chair of GECOM, Justice (Ret'd) Claudette Singh.

Initially, the recount was set for a period of 25 days, however, the commission last Friday amended the Order to facilitate an extension to June 13.

for granted’

--Health authorities warn, ask that persons experiencing signs of the disease contact them PERSONS who reside in regions where there have been no reported cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), have been taking the disease for granted, something which the health authorities have advised against because of the unpredictability and contagiousness of the disease.

“We are aware that persons residing in the regions where cases have not been reported are taking this situation for granted, instead of taking all the necessary precautions to protect themselves,” Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton said on Monday. “We continue to plead that your only protection is ensuring that you wear a mask, maintain physical distance if you are in public, but, most importantly, follow the curfew and other measures that the ministry has in place,” he said during his regular virtual COVID-19 update.

To date, there have been 153 recorded cases of COVID-19, with 73 of those cases still being active. Compared to the recent past, those figures have remained the same over the past 24 hours, even though the authorities have tested 40 persons within that time.

Health authorities have

Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton

thus far tested 1, 658 persons, with the total number of negative cases being 1,505. But, of the 153 persons who’ve proven positive, 70 have recovered, 12 have since died, and of those cases deemed active, 71 are in institutional isolation, and two are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Health authorities continue to work towards strengthening the healthcare system to respond to COVID-19 on a long-term basis.

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3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Gov’t defends track record ---talks up increase salaries for public sector workers, tax reform

GUANA’S progression over the past five years is testimony to the commitment and service of the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change coalition, to the people of Guyana, and the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) believes those achievements are enough to dispel ‘inaccurate’ claims made by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) stalwart, Gail Teixeira.

Teixeira recently penned two letters, which were published in the Guyana Times, titled “concede defeat and make an honourable retreat for the sake of Guyanese” and ''Granger’s administration has taken Guyana down a treacherous path''.

In those letters, Teixeira claimed that the executive embarked upon “a series of acts that laid the basis for the whittling away of the constitutional and legal restraints on the President and the Government,” but this government said it is a distortion of the facts.

To this end, the MoTP reminded Teixeira that President David Granger, on December 22, 2018, the day after the passage of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, said the Government would abide by the stipulations which were imposed on it; that it would engage its coalition partners and the Leader of the Opposition.

The President also committed to doing everything necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections bearing in mind the need for normal governmental functions to continue uninterrupted and in keeping with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana.

“The Government had a legal right to seek judicial clarification on the validity of the no-confidence vote and for it to interpret certain issues relating to the vote that are enshrined in the Constitution.

These challenges were neither frivolous nor calculated to frustrate the implications of the no-confidence vote as is being alleged,” said the ministry.

The ministry said government never had as its objective to “whittle away” the Constitution. Instead, it has, at all times, operated within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law. Teixeira’s claims, however, stretched beyond recent events, as she claimed that the government has “dismissed 1,872 Amerindian Community Service Officers (CSOs) and those aligned to the PPP/C.” This

was considered a lie by MoTP. “Teixeira is aware that the PPP made no budgetary allocations for CSOs beyond April 2015. A Cabinet decision dated March 18, 2015, approved the sum $234,240,000 to provide a stipend for the CSOs from January to April 2015.

The PPP made no provisions for the CSOs thereafter,” said the government.

President Granger, in September 2015, initiated the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme. HEYS aimed at eliminating the gap in development between hinterland youth and those on the coast.

From its genesis to present, the incumbent has invested approximately $2.5 billion to provide educational, entrepreneurial, skill, technical and vocational training for hinterland youth, including the CSOs, so that they could obtain employment.

To date, 3,444 from 220 villages across all ten administrative regions have been trained and empowered with the financial and other resources to help them to enjoy a satisfactory standard of living and to add to their village economies. In addition to the training, each youth received a stipend of $30,000 per month and a one-off grant of $50,000.

BUSINESSES ESTABLISHED To date, the beneficiaries of the programme have established 3, 467 business in retail and distribution (1,015 businesses); crops and livestock (1,635 businesses) among others. The young business owners also benefit from financial stimulus grants to boost their respective businesses.

Youth were also given the opportunity to pursue training and access financial grants through another David Granger initiative - the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Development (SLED) programme. Youth entrepreneurs were able to access grants ranging from $3M to $20M, which in the medium term is expected to create about 200 jobs.

To date, over 160 youth from rural communities in West Demerara- Essequibo Islands (Region Three); Demerara-Mahaica (Region Five); East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) and Upper Demerara-Berbice) have benefited from the SLED programme. SLED has since been expanded to cater for youth in Bartica and Jawalla in CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven); Mabaruma, Barima-Waini

(Region One) and Shulinab, (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine).

In addition to defending its support to the indigenous

In 2018, the administration approved increases for all public servants ranging from 0.5 per cent to 7 per cent, and presented a $300.7B budget for

President David Granger

population, 2019, which MoTP narreflected an inrowed in on its crease of 12.6 support meted per cent when out to public compared with servants, es2018. pecially since In NoTeixeira alvember 2019, leged that the President government announced tax had terminatfree increases ed thousands retroactive to of public serJanuary 2019, vants for their including, a ethnic and/or nine per cent political afincrease in filiation and wages and that it had salary for Pubintroduced lic servants anti-working earning less PPP Executive, people tax than $100,000 Gail Teixeira measures, per month. thereby inS w e e p creasing levels of poverty. er-cleaners in the Public EduPresident Granger, since cation System, who were often 2015, has repeatedly noted the on the lowest rung of the salary importance of a proficient Pub- scale, now receive the new lic Service for Guyana’s “eco- minimum wage of $70,000. nomic prosperity, institutional Public servants earning bestability, national security and tween $100,000 and under $ social cohesion”.

1 million received an 8.5 per The Granger-led adminis- cent increase. tration, from 2015 to 2019, has President Granger also implemented salary increases announced increases in station that have amounted to an over- allowances, which moved all 77 per cent increase in the from $2,800 to $10,000, reminimum wage, which was flecting an increase of 260 per $39,540 when it entered office. cent; hinterland allowances, During the coalition’s first which moved from between four years in office, public $4000 and $12,000 to $24,000, servants benefited from more reflecting an increase from than 60 per cent increase in between 100 per cent to 600 wages and salaries and more per cent; risk allowance, from than 50 per cent increase in the $500 to $5000, an increase minimum wage. of 900 per cent and uniform

allowance for health sector workers, which increased from $13,000 and $22,135 to $15,000 and $30,000.

The Public Service Ministry, in November 2019 announced that Public servants hired during 2019 would also benefit from retroactive increases from the date of their assumption of duty.

Persons who were promoted would also benefit from the increases in accordance with their previous salaries from January 1, 2019 to the date of their promotion. The Ministry also committed to eliminating the normative three-month waiting period for new staff to access their salaries.

Further, the administration also reduced the personal income tax from 30 per cent to 27.5 per cent; increased the personal income tax allowance from $600,000 to $720,000 or 1/3 of the gross income, whichever is higher; removed income tax from the employee’s contribution given to the National Insurance Scheme and has given equal treatment to vocation allowance across the public and private sectors.

Similarly, Teixeira’s claim that the administration “terminated 99 per cent of Guyana’s representatives at Foreign Mission” or “terminated 99 per cent of all Permanent Secretaries,” are also false.

The APNU+AFC administration retained several of its representatives at foreign missions and other senior officers in the Public Service in keeping with a campaign promise not to retrench workers when it was elected to office. Permanent Secretaries have worked in the public service over many years and, since 2015, several were promoted because of the skill and the institutional knowledge that they possess.

They have also received training and other opportunities to enhance their competencies to better serve the public.

Similarly, government defended increases in salary given to the President and his ministers, an issue which was also questioned by Teixeira.

ACROSS THE BOARD “Had President Granger received an increase in salary, there would have been a corresponding increase in the pensions received by the three former Presidents – Bharat Jagdeo, Samuel Hinds and Donald Ramotar,” said MotP. Teixeira’s allegation that the administration “introduced anti-business tax measures” is also false. On the contrary, the Administration introduced several reforms and adjusted

its policies, rules and regulations to ensure that the local investment climate is more favourable.

“The Coalition Government has undertaken a comprehensive reform of the tax system and has reduced company tax for non-commercial companies from 30 per cent to 25 per cent; reduced the value-added tax (VAT) from 16 per cent to 14 per cent; increase the VAT threshold from $10 million to $15 million and implemented a special income tax rate of 25 per cent for small businesses, the latter of which is in addition to several other tax concessions available to small businesses.

“It has also increased the threshold for filing a property tax return from $0.5 million to $40 million; reduced the property tax rate on chargeable property; implemented exemptions from Customs Duty and Excise Tax and VAT on a range of capital equipment and other goods, among other measures,” said MoTP Teixeira’s allegation that the administration, “held up appointments of judges for almost a year in violation of the constitution” was also described as disingenuous.

The alleged shortage of judges was not occasioned under the Granger administration, which inherited excessive delays in hearing civil and criminal matters, resulting in a crippling backlog of cases in all courts. The life of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) expired on September 30, 2017. After almost two years, in June 2019, advances were being made to reconstitute the JSC after the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments agreed to a nominee, whose name was submitted by the Guyana Bar Association. After the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the no-confidence motion case, the National Assembly was not reconvened, putting the process on indefinite hold.

“The Opposition PPP stymied this process by refusing to participate in the work of the said Appointments Committee and significantly reduced the likelihood of this matter reaching the floor of National Assembly,” said MoTP.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Inquest ordered into death of 12-year-old Ashley Agard

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

ALMOST six months after 12-year old Ashley Agard was found unresponsive at a house in Longsdale Village, East Bank Berbice, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has ordered an inquest into her demise.

Police Divisional Commander Calvin Brutus told the Berbice media on Monday that following a visit to his office by relatives of the deceased child, further information was placed in a file and sent to the DPP for advice.

“The legal minds decided there was no evidence of a crime, as it stands, and referred it for an inquest,” Brutus said. “Sometimes, at the end of an inquest, it becomes a crime, based on the findings…” he added.

On January 12, the child’s parents had postponed her funeral, and instead called on the authorities to intervene in the matter, as they were dissatisfied with the investigation, and wanted “Justice for Ashley".

Speaking to Guyana Chronicle from their modest Rotterdam, East Bank Berbice home at the time, where Ashley and her three siblings, Romaldo aged 13, Celina, 10, and Orlando, nine, lived with their parents, mother, Saman-

tha Downer said she was of the belief that her daughter’s death was not accidental but a deliberate act.

She’d also expressed dis-

Dead: Ashley Agard

satisfaction with the findings of the post mortem, which excluded the fact that there were markings on the right side of the child’s neck, and wanted to know why she and her husband, Sylvester Durant, as the child’s parents, were not allowed to witness the post mortem, and were not told the cause of death.

There were also questions as to why the Gaffars, at whose home the incident occurred, were treated with such deference by police in-

vestigators, while they, Ashley’s parents, were treated like criminals.

STILL IN THE DARK

about a foot off the ground.

I just don’t believe Ashley got entangled. My daughter was very outspoken. If she’d encountered difficulty, she

premises of the Gaffars, who live in Longsdale Village, a short distance from where the child lived with her parents in Rotterdam Village.

Family in mourning: From left Samantha Downer (mother); siblings, Romaldo, Orlando, and Celina with father Sylvester Durant standing

Both parents claimed at the time to be still in the dark as to what really transpired, as to have caused their daughter’s demise.

Said Samantha, “The story is conflicting; it’s mixed up.

They are not telling me exactly what transpired. I have a hammock here at home; it is higher than the one at Wasir’s house. Ashley normally lie in the hammock; it’s nothing strange for her. Their hammock is much lower;

would have screamed… I am not satisfied; I want justice for ‘Buckie’.”

The last time she saw Ashley alive, Samantha said, was sometime after midday on Monday, walking down the road with Shunamae Gaffar. She herself was waiting on transportation to go to the New Amsterdam hospital to see a relative who was expecting a baby.

On January 6, Ashley was found unresponsive at the

According to Shunamae Gaffar, she was alerted that something was amiss after hearing her daughter screaming. “I was upstairs; she and Ashley was playing. She screamed calling me, ‘Mummy come see whuh Ashley do.’ When I came downstairs, I saw Ashley seated on the ground with a piece of the hammock material around her neck, and froth flowing from her mouth. I removed the cloth from around her neck; I

put her to lie on the ground. I called my neighbour, Alana.

She said Ashley was breathing, and that I should call her mother. When Ashley’s mother, Samantha, came, she started to scream, and while doing so, picked up the child and took her home.”

FEELING UNWELL According to Samantha, Ashley did not go to school that day because she’d earlier complained of having a headache. She said that after taking Ashley home when she left the Gaffars, she put her on the bed to lie down, hoping that that would have helped her revive. But, Ramaldo, her eldest son, became concerned when he saw she was not waking up, and hurriedly ran to the nearby sawmill where their father worked. And after telling him what he feared, together they rushed home and immediately took the pre-teen to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post mortem examination conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at the Anthony’s Funeral Home, found that the cause of death as “asphyxiation due to broncho aspiration of gastric content, compounded by compression injury to neck”.

George Floyd died of asphyxia, private post-mortem finds (BBC) George Floyd, the African-American man whose death has sparked civil unrest, died from asphyxia (lack of oxygen), a private post-mortem examination found.

He died due to compres-

sion on his neck and back by Minneapolis police officers, medical examiners hired by the Floyd family said.

The findings differ from an official preliminary autopsy carried out by the county medical examiner.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 - 02:00 hrs-- 14:30hrs It did not find evidence of "traumatic asphyxia or strangulation".

"The cause of death in my opinion is asphyxia, due to compression to the neck - which can interfere with oxygen going to the brain - and compression to the back, which interferes with breathing," said Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner who was one of two doctors hired by Mr Floyd's family.

The pair found the death was a homicide, a statement from the Floyd family legal team said.

Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for the Floyd family, told a press conference: "Beyond doubt he would be alive today if not for the pressure applied to his neck by officer Derek Chauvin and the strain on his body by two other officers.

He added: "The ambulance was his hearse."

Mr Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter but the Floyd family and their lawyers say the charge should be increased to first-degree murder.

More than 75 cities have seen protests, with streets only days ago deserted because of coronavirus full of demonstrators marching shoulder to shoulder.

The Floyd case has reignited deep-seated anger over police killings of black Americans and racism. It follows the high-profile cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Eric Garner in New York and others that have driven the Black Lives Matter movement.

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

CARICOM observers say Suriname elections were 'free, fair and credible' The CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission (CEOM) is scheduled to depart Suriname today after having spent a full two weeks in the country observing, not only the Election Day activities of 25th May, but also the Pre and Post-Election Day phases.?

On the eve of its departure from Suriname,?the CEOM said it is pleased to be able to report that its observations and experienc-

es over the past two weeks confirmed that - up to this point in time - Suriname has successfully staged a free, fair, transparent, and credible Election.?

“The CEOM urges all of the entities that are now currently engaged in completing the few outstanding tabulations of votes to?commit themselves to concluding this process efficiently and speedily.?The CEOM made it a point of duty to meet with

and to listen carefully to virtually all of the entities that were involved in the Electoral process,? and in particular, to the many Opposition political parties,? the Anti-Fraud Platform,? the group of local election observers drawn from the Private Sector, and the Inter Religious Council of Suriname,” a release issued by the Caricom Secretariat said.

The members of the CEOM took very careful

note of the concerns and reservations that were expressed - inclusive of concerns pertaining to possible electoral fraud - and resolved to carefully scrutinise the Electoral process for any evidence that would substantiate such concerns and reservations.?

“Now, after an extensive period of scrutiny, the members of CEOM are pleased to be able to report that, in spite of some administrative and logistical glitches

and some COVID-19 related delays, we concluded that we saw and experienced no evidence of fraud in the Elections.?Furthermore,?the CEOM determined that Suriname's Electoral system is fundamentally sound, and that there are many checks and balances built into the system.”?

The CEOM was also impressed with the transparency that characterises the Electoral system,?and

‘Stop taking COVID-19 for...

The potential and existing activities are part of the plan to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network, whereby patients across the country’s 10 administrative regions will be able to access these services.

THE EPICENTRE Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) remains the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of communities outside of Georgetown which have recorded cases.

Among communities on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship,

Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey. Among communities on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) where there were cases are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

Health authorities are also placing emphasis on the four hinterland regions, especially now that three of them regions have recorded cases of COVID-19.

The need for surveillance in those regions is also important, because Guyana’s South American neighbour, Brazil, is now rated as the COVID-19 epicentre of the Americas.

“We continue to ask resi-

dents to desist from crossing the borders as Brazil continues to record new cases every day. However, I ask that we pray for guidance for their health workers who like ours and those in every other country stand in the frontline as our brave heroes,” said Dr. Hamilton in her update on Monday.

Residents of Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and most importantly those who are from the mining communities are also asked to be vigilant and forthcoming with information, which who aid health authorities in the containment of the disease.

Persons experiencing the

Employees can get certified not to return to work – PM (JAMAICA GLEANER) Some categories of employees dreading returning to the physical workplace can request to continue operating remotely even as the work-from-home orders have been lifted.

For example, persons who are immunocompromised with underlying illnesses may be allowed to continue the arrangement.

But they would be required to present a medical certificate indicating that they are not fit to work in an environment of general access that may expose them to increased risk during the coronavirus pandemic.

The request can be made, effective today, and run till the end of the month.

Other workers who may be considered for exemption include “persons who have no other suitable arrangements to care for their children at home if they were to go to work”.

The prime minister said that such persons could negotiate with their employers.

“We expect that their employers will make the necessary provisions and arrangements,” Holness said at a Ja-

yesterday evening.

People who have ailing family members but cannot find suitable care provisions are to be considered for the continued work-from-home arrangement, Holness also said.

The prime minister outlined specific protocols for physical distancing that are to be observed at the workplace.

“Where an employer assesses that the employee-to-square-footage ratio will not allow for employees to have at least 36 square feet of functional space individually to facilitate the recommended social-distancing space of six feet apart, the employer must make arrangements with some employees to have them work from home, or stagger working hours, or make some other arrangement to ensure that social distancing is possible to be practised in the work environment,” Holness stated.

He urged employers to maximise productivity without compromising health “by reconfiguring how, where, when we work by integrating technology and innovation in all our business processes”.

“While we are encour-

to their place of work, we acknowledge that this may be not practical or feasible in all cases. We must examine our situational realities and determine what is appropriate,” the prime minister said as he defended lifting the workfrom-home orders.

With mounting reports that public-sector workers are being coaxed by their managers to still turn up to work, the prime minister said he would be convening a meeting of the permanent secretaries in the various ministries to investigate the claims.

“I must confess that it is the first time I am hearing that the managers in the public sector were not following the guidelines … ,” he said, vowing to speak with the Cabinet secretary as well.

Holness, in the meantime, continued to defend the socalled reopening of the economy, arguing that the country must get back its footing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“No one can dispute that the economic crisis spawned by this pandemic requires everyone to act in such a way to save lives and live-

signs and symptoms of this disease are asked to contact the hotline if you can or the closest health facility so that medical professionals can visit and provide the necessary services. This is also being asked of all who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue, not just here in Guyana, but globally as well.

And, according to global statistics, there are over 5.9 million cases of COVID-19, with over 367,000 deaths.

And with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will

the fact that at every stage of the process, representatives of the political parties are permitted to be present to scrutinize the proceedings.?”The CEOM congratulates the people of Suriname for the manner in which they conducted themselves in expressing their democratic rights, especially in a very challenging COVID-19 environment,” the release added.

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survive after contracting the disease.

In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Youths and Agriculture

LAST week we editorialised on youth crime and unemployment, during which we explored the various ways in which the authorities can arrest this situation. Just some years ago, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) estimated youth unemployment in Guyana to be around 40 per cent, but from then to now, no updated report on this matter has been made available to the public.

While there is no updated report on unemployment and any pronouncement aside from a reputable survey or study would be mere speculation, youth involvement in

crime is more evident.

On any given day, a quick glance of the court cases in the newspapers will indicate that a vast majority of offenders are young people and their crimes range, from among other things, possession of narcotics, burglary and break and entry.

Of course, there are other serious cases but a large number of the cases are issues of petty crimes. So youth unemployment and their involvement in crime are serious matters of concern and regardless of who the complainants are, their calls for these issues to be addressed must be treated with due attention. Though

the focus of attention has been placed on government to effect change, crime and youth employment are issues no government can address alone.

Ideally, they require a multi-stakeholder approach as well as the perpetrators to commit to change. Very often the reason proffered for youth unemployment and their involvement in crime has been lack of opportunities in society. But is this really so? Guyana is one of the few countries in the Caribbean blessed with an abundance of arable land and fresh water and has even offered some of these areas to sister CARICOM states

willing to invest in largescale agriculture.

What the government needs to do, if it has not done so as yet in a well-planned way, is make agriculture one of the pillars of the Green State Initiative with strong focus on maintaining food security, poverty reduction and creating employment.

Through unemployment reduction and propagation of a culture of hard work, excellence and honesty, crime and the many other social issues that bedevil Guyana will be gradually reduced. But as it relates to agriculture, government has quite some work to do since farmers here are in the cate-

gory of the aging population and young people generally have a negative perception of agriculture.

Here is where government has to come in and at a very early level in the school system promote agriculture as a reputable, attractive and lucrative profession.

Agriculture should not be seen merely as work in the field, but as a profession that includes research and development, marketing and distribution and an occupation that has the power to influence national decisions.

It should be sold as a profession with many sub-professions, ranging from soil conservation-

ist, extension advisers and biomass engineer to soil scientist, veterinarian and food microbiologist. One gets the impression that not much has been done to change the traditional view of agriculture, which in this day and age should be promoted as a modern trade with high-tech operations and a simple solution to elevate from poverty.

If this is done, more young people would gravitate towards a career in agriculture. The task now is to get them to understand the value of agriculture, both as a tool for self-empowerment and for enabling national food security.

Preventing COVID-19 infection

Dear Editor

GOVERNMENT has done, and continues to do, everything it can to contain and mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Specialty treatment and quarantine facilities have been established and equipped, protective curfew and travel restrictions are in place, a massive public-education system is operational, as well as other measures, all being coordinated by a dedicated COVID-19 Task Force.

The net effect has been that Guyana, although affected, has been successful in preventing the hundreds of daily deaths that occur in other territories such as neighbouring Brazil and the developed United States. For this, Guyanese should be grateful to the astute leadership of the President David Granger administration. However, we all have a part to play in preventing COVID-19 from spreading, and, unfortunately, it is clear to this publication that many Guyanese are not doing their part; too many citizens are behaving irresponsibly. This cavalier attitude

endangers everyone, and it has to stop, one way or another.

It has been observed that many persons have become complacent.

At the onset of the pandemic, it could be seen that many persons were complying with the preventative guidelines laid down by medical experts and communicated to the public by the Coalition administration. Unfortunately, it appears that people are losing the momentum to remain vigilant. Mini-bus drivers and conductors, taxi-drivers, vendors and other high-risk (for transmission) groups are operating without face masks. Persons are congregating at business places; ignoring social-distancing directives, and the list goes on. It cannot be over-emphasised that if Guyanese continue along this trend — behaving as though everything is normal — no amount of government intervention will be able to save us from our own foolishness. We had better get our act together because if we don’t hear we will feel.

We need to remind ourselves, daily, hourly, and every minute of

the serious deadliness of COVID-19.

At the time of the writing of this article, 5.92 million people are confirmed to be infected worldwide, 364,000 are dead, and those numbers will have risen by the time this column is printed. In fact, more persons would have died during the writing of this article. The horrific effects of COVID-19 have been described by experts-- the inability to breathe as death approaches should be sufficient to terrify anyone. Guyanese need to take COVID-19 seriously, remain motivated to take precautions, follow the directives of health experts, and take no chances.

While, by this time, most Guyanese would know what to do to prevent themselves from becoming infected, it bears repeating here. More importantly, knowing is one thing, but actually doing what we must do to protect ourselves is another. And, that is what is needed; we have to do what we have to do to stay safe.

The experts agree that COVID-19 is 3 times more contagious than the flu. They agree, too, that it is spread in two major ways:

directly from one person to another, when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even speaks, releasing infectious droplets of liquid from the mouth or nose to be inhaled by another person; and indirectly when an infected person deposits the virus on a surface, and another person comes along and picks it up.

The ways to prevent becoming infected are simple. To avoid becoming infected directly, simply avoid other people, because, experts say, an infected person can spread COVID-19 three days before showing any symptoms. Stay home. If you must interact with others, everyone should be wearing face masks and staying at least 6 feet from any other person.

To prevent indirect infection, one expert has said that people should always be conscious of where your hands are because touching the face transfers the virus from the hands to the eyes, nose or mouth; the face should not be touched. Further, the hands should be washed properly, thoroughly and frequently with soap and water because soap kills

the COVID-19. If it is necessary to touch anything outside the living space, wash the hands or use hand sanitiser, or both.

As Guyanese, we must take precautions to stop COVID-19 within our borders. As government puts systems in place, we can do our part by not travelling in busses whose operators are not masked. We should not make purchases from unmasked vendors. We should maintain social distancing. And, of course, we should all be masked while in public or interacting with anyone.

It should be noted that if we do not comply with directives, and the numbers of infections and deaths continue to rise, government is certain to effect more stringent control-measures, and, a 24 hour curfew would not be nice.

Regards Mark DaCosta

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Flaring and Guyana's O&G Sector Dear Editor, THE Oil and Gas sector is large and often, individuals forget about the gas component of this sector.

Gas can sometimes be the largest portion of the finding and thus far Guyana has a lucrative 30-50 million cubic feet of natural Gas per day ( https:// www.ecooilandgas.com/guyana-wants-to-bring-lizagas-to-shore/).

This natural gas (methane or ethane) we own can be - compressed and stored in cylinders - liquefied into liquefied natural gas (LPG) - redirected into wells to maintain pressures and maintain output - a feedstock for Petrochemical plants to make hydrocarbons for fuel, rubber, glass, paint etc.

As of today and the past six months, we have been and are flaring our natural gas at a reduced rate of 15 million cubic feet per Day (original rate being 80 million cubic feet per day). Flaring is basically setting the distilled natural gas afire into the atmosphere. Yes, increasing our carbon foot print and of course we are now, according to the Center for International Environmental Law, in the top 10 for gas flaring practices; only after commencement of production six months ago.

This flaring has been ongoing from the beginning and Exxon's number one excuse is the failure of an equipment. If I were ExxonMobil and care about the environment, I would have acquired a new piece of the compressor machinery used to reject the gas into the well. It's obviously a manufacturing problem at this point in time, yet the company that relies so much on its set principles of gold standards seem hell bent on flaring Guyana's Gas more than fixing the actual problem.

Yes, flaring is done from time to time and the contract does state that ExxonMobil ExxonMobil engage in Non-routine flaring exercises; such events can be during equipment maintenance or to prevent pressure build up. Also, within the contract, it was noted that the gas will be re-injected or/and it will be used to power the Liza Destiny FPSO vessel. However, none of these are operational to date. Is ExxonMobil really as efficient as it portrays itself to be, following international standards etc. ?

Our leaders in the environmental protection agency board has chosen to continuously accept mediocrity.

The excuse of flaring 80 million vs 15 million is unacceptable and will not fill the jacket of rational Guyanese anymore. If the developer of Liza Phase one is inexperienced in fixing or relocating a brand new compressor then you, Dr. Adam's and team, have to do some work and lobby for what's right and just. Be proactive and offer solutions for the problems.

Flaring is a big deal, the environment is a big deal. Our electoral system has failed us to an extent and I plead with the EPA to not fail us further. Do not accept mediocrity, not with our environment.

You are in control unless you have your own contract on the side. You only leave me to have such a speculation.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Josh Kanhai

Findings of recount point to electoral fraud Dear Editor, WITH each day that the recount/audit of the March 2 elections continues, the findings of that process are pointing increasingly sharply and emphatically in only one direction and towards one conclusion: the elections were fraudulent.

Since the PPP did everything it could to prevent a recount, and, now, considering the PPP’s continuing efforts to stymie investigations, not to mention the defensive posture that the PPP has now adopted regarding the accusations of electoral fraud, one may reasonably conclude

that the unquestionable fraud was masterminded by that party. Editor, all of that is well known; the point that I wish to make here is: patriotic Guyanese simply cannot accept the result of fraudulent elections.

Article 9 of the Constitution of Guyana states that, “Sovereignty belongs to the people . . .” In other words, it is the people who owns political power. That same Article goes on to say that such power is exercised through elected representatives. The fact that those representatives should be fairly (not fraudulently) elected is self-evident. It follows that

The wicked pen of Freddie Kissoon is at it again Dear Editor, THE wicked pen of Freddie Kissoon is at it again, attacking Justice Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). This man’s behaviour is passing the mark. It is becoming unbearable to see how Kaieteur News allows him the freedom to make repeated nasty remarks about people. He does this to individuals he doesn’t like or who he thinks is not toeing the opposition's line. Only bullies behave this way.

The shameless bullies will stop at nothing in their efforts to influence the outcome of the election. They have no regard for the will of the people. They hate the independence of GECOM as a constitutional office.

Coming close to the end of the recount, the competition is on to see who can attack Justice Singh more. The letter sections will be flooded with hate. The writers forget that these hate mails are not a reflection of Justice Singh.

The hatred is a reflection of those who pen them. Their poor souls are demented or tormented. May God have mercy on them.

This looks like a sexist attack on Justice Singh. I am sure the good people in Guyana and around the world are

amazed at the lowdown sexist assaults. Some men would have preferred her bowing to them or at home cleaning house, cooking and scrubbing pots. Some feel less having strong, independent and proud women around.

They forget that her years on the bench prepared her for this sort of evil and she will not be intimidated or shamed.

I wonder how some men feel around any women much less a competent and professional woman like Justice Singh. The question is: does this behaviour of those men and Freddie towards Justice Singh surprise you?

These people have no shame. No doubt some women will support the nasty attacks because of politics. They are just like the men. They cannot see the difference between attacking the lady and respectfully disagreeing. All of them do not care what the world thinks about them. They do not care how the world sees them.

They do not care what example they set for their loved ones. Shame on them!

Shame on Freddie!

Yours Sincerely B. Beniprashad Rayman

electoral thievery and fraud must not be allowed to stand; the people — in whom sovereignty resides — must necessarily reject any and every electoral thief and fraudster.

We, Guyanese, simply cannot surrender our sovereign power to electoral fraudsters.

It has been reported that, so far, it has been found that more than 220,000 votes are compromised by fraud.

Evidently, considering the size of our electorate, even if those compromised votes were discounted, that number of compromised votes would exceed any margin of “victory.” Further, 220,000 votes is simply too large a number

to be summarily discounted, and, let us not forget that the recount/audit is far from complete.

Editor, where that leaves us collectively, may be for GECOM to decide.

What I can say, though, is, as a citizen of this country, I cannot in good conscience accept the outcome of fraudulent elections, and, I believe that every fair-minded, clear-thinking, patriotic citizen must, without any doubt, share that logical opinion and principled conviction.

Regards, Troy Garraway

The welfare and lives of Guyanese are paramount in any situation Dear Editor A MOST noticeable feature of the unreasonable demands of those who seek power, are their inhuman attitudes being displayed to the well-being of the nation. This is unmistakable in their quest for power at all costs; and we have seen this unmistaken disregard for life being displayed in the attitude of certain front men of the PPP/C, which is really representative of the pole position of their opposition party – more work stations, regardless of the risk that becomes imminent because of more electoral staff that will be needed.

The fact that the relevant authorities would have finally not given permission for the extension of any further mechanism, give credence to the fact that the lives and welfare of citizens were not to be compromised, to satisfy the lust for power. In fact, before this well- considered decision, which led to the announcement, there had begun a narrative, the usual disgusting and defamatory attempt, levelled against the President and coalition government, that they were using the fact of the Covid -19 pandemic to slow the recount process, hence its entirety that is still on-going. One would have also observed the usual contrived collective of bug nuisances, the small

parties, which continue to parrot the diversionary line of the PPP/C. And this is the tragedy in this country of a section of the nation that for wholly racist, self-interest reasons, allows itself to be led astray by their political party. How could such an accusation, totally asinine, be made against the President and his administration, when the direction of the nation’s health and welfare in the battle against the Covid-19 lies in the hands of the nation’s health authorities?

This is squarely ignorance of an incomparable type, and could have only originated from those who continue to deceive.

Even one of the senior ABCE diplomatic representatives, was perhaps shamelessly misled, by sending out the following message, to the effect that the shouts for a recount were growing louder; of course by that cabal construct of cubby-holes, obviously brought into being to assist in the criminal fraud, that we see have been perpetuated on Guyana. One wonders if that diplomat was so dunce, or deliberately naïve, or simply dimwitted, to repeat what was patently a falsity. But so much for interfering in a country’s sovereign affair.

Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Making wealthy people wealthier not essential service –– says Policy Forum Guyana IN support of its contention that mining is an essential service the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has asserted that Guyana’s much-needed foreign exchange earnings would decline and that could cause widespread economic problems for the country, “We are also essential because

For Ali to be portrayed as ‘president-elect’ is treacherous stuff Dear Editor, AS the final results of our elections have not been verified and announced, the Constitution provides for the President to remain in office.

This is President David Granger.

I am surprised therefore to see opposition media describing Mr. Ali as ‘president-elect’.

This is not only unlawful but exposes Mr. Ali to prosecution.

He may wallow in his appellation as ‘Dr’, as this is a personal pre tension to an academic qualification that is questionable. But for him to be portrayed as ‘president-elect’ is treacherous stuff.

Yours sincerely, Law Student

we contribute consistently to over 55 percent of the foreign currency earnings.”

However, Policy Forum Guyana noted that no matter what contribution the industry makes to export earnings, it is not a criterion of ‘essential.’

“A mother earning money to feed her children by selling plantains in La Pen-

itence market has a more serious claim to being an essential service than the gold industry, as do the many school-feeding programmes which have had to cease,” the forum stated.

The concept of ‘essential service’ was originally coined to identify those services – water, electricity, policing and health---which

every citizen needs. In many countries they were -- or are -- subsidised by the state in order to ensure access to them by all, regardless of income.

“Rather than a service, the mining industry is so ill-regulated that apart from preventing any accurate assessment of its contribution to the economy, it poses a major threat to the well-being of all interior communities,” the organisation stated.

Additionally, the organ-

isation stated while government agencies have begun to take steps to address essential businesses, the GGDMA is still to cooperate.

The organisation in its observations noted that administration of the sector remains sufficiently chaotic, and that the massive sale of public assets for private gain is never sufficiently understood. Individuals are granted hundreds of permits which they have neither the resources nor capacity to

exploit, but “landlord” them out to smaller operators.

“What is beyond question, however, is that an activity whose purpose is to make a small number of wealthy men even wealthier cannot be categorised as an essential service. The COVID-19 National Task Force must remove this anomaly,” the organisation stated.

EU Ambassador showed why CARICOM best suited to supervise the recount Dear Editor I WANT to comment on a story captioned “Election Day process so impressive that it was impossible to cheat” which was published by a local newspaper on March 31. The news story sought to explain how the European Ambassador was impressed with the various levels of safeguards in the electoral process, and that he believes it was impossible for any party to cheat at the polling stations.

That news story, and the Ambassador’s statements, demonstrate why it was so important that CARICOM, instead of the Carter Center or the EU Observers, supervise the ongoing recount process, and it also points to an underlying reason why some observer groups are unable to detect electoral fraud. I believe that the EU Ambassador

was sincere – he most likely believes that it was impossible to cheat at the polling stations. The Ambassador, like some international observers, fell victim to what is often referred to as “mirror imaging”. He is assessing the electoral process in Guyana through the lens of the electoral process in his country.

He said “One person came to vote. He or she has to identify himself, but then also, he has to be seen on the list and there are pictures, which in my country, we never had pictures. So, I was quite positively impressed”. And there is the problem. In more established democracies there is no need for some of the electoral safeguards we see in burgeoning democracies.

For example, as the Ambassador noted, several countries do not require a photo-ID to cast ballots. Photo-ID’s are not necessary in those

places, because several other safeguards such as updated electoral registries (voters list), and electronic voting prevent multiple voting by a single person or dead and otherwise absent people being able to vote.

So, by using a European frame of reference, of course any European observer would be impressed by all the safeguards we have. And because the Ambassador is impressed by the safeguards, in his mind, his instincts therefore prevents him from seeing the possibility that dead or absent people could have voted in Guyana. Similarly, because there is no expectation of collusion between political parties and polling station presiding officers in his country, it is almost impossible for him to see that possibility in Guyana…. Again, the effects of mirror imaging.

Mirror Imaging does not

affect only Europeans. It affects everyone, including those observers from Canada or the US, unless they find a way to counter its effects.

Mirror Imaging basically explains that we expect people to behave the way would normally do in similar situations.

The EU Ambassador clearly expected Guyanese voters to be like European voters.

The Canadian and American observers may also have expected Guyanese voters to behave like voters in their respective countries. And this could help explain why they do not seem to understand how easy it is to compromise the integrity of Guyana’s elections with the support of a bloated list of electors, and the unwitting support of the international community.

The observers’ failure to detect fraud, and their inabilities to appreciate the likelihood of election-day

skullduggery, are important factors contributing to the electoral challenges we now face. It is uncertain whether those observers who have already determined that the PPP did not commit fraud would be able to change their opinions, even when presented with verifiable evidence.

The PPP, through the business elites in the Private Sector Commission, continues to have the propaganda advantage. That so far has provided cover for the party since many observers are yet to accept that dead people could vote. That cover will soon be removed and what is exposed may be shocking to some.

Respectfully Max Mohamed

SASOD offers free counselling and legal services for vulnerable persons in the time of COVID-19 Dear Editor,

THE COVID-19 pandemic continues to present significant challenges for vulnerable communities, including women, girls, youth, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer (LGBTQ+) persons, persons with disabilities, persons living with HIV, migrants, the elderly and those in extreme poverty.

A key element to these challenges is the pandemic of gender-based violence, which

disproportionately affects one in three women globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The sad reality is that many women and girls, who are trying to reduce the contraction of COVID-19 by observing quarantine and lockdown measures, are confined to their homes with abusers.

In many countries, there has been a significant increase in the number [of]cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence, as data from UNFPA.

Further to this, SASOD Guyana is concerned about the increase in incidents of cyber-bullying against LGBTQ+ persons in Guyana. Many of these cases are unreported and perpetrators are not held accountable. We are aware of the devastating and traumatic effects these acts of violence have on the mental health of persons.

Against this background, SASOD Guyana with support from the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), is offering free

counselling sessions utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) platforms, as we continue to practise physical distancing. For survivors of gender-based violence, free legal services are also offered by our pool of CARIBONO lawyers through our Community Paralegal Services Programme.

To book appointments for counseling and / or legal services, interested persons are encouraged to call, SMS or WhatsApp SASOD Guyana on mobile number +592 623

5155. These support services are life-saving and essential, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized among us. SASOD Guyana remains a leading defender of human rights for all people in Guyana and the Caribbean.

We are in this together.

Regards Kobe Smith Human Rights Coordinator SASOD Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

CXC releases examination dates

--- CSEC, CAPE to begin July 13 DESPITE the concerns of some regional educators, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has forged ahead with the release of its examination dates, and has set the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) to begin on 13, July 2020.

This will see students sitting the exams via e-Testing modality or using the paper-based modality in territories where the infra-

via the paper-based method.

CSEC exams will run from July 13 – August 4 while CAPE will run from July 13 – 31. Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) will be facilitated from June 25-26 and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) from August 5-7. Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) audits will commence in July 2020 and CXC is working towards results in the first week of September 2020.

In a simple statement on the Council’s social media

full suite of examinations this summer.”

Bilateral discussions have been had with CXC, Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Education and Jamaica after the country’s government said in May that it could not commit to holding the exams in July.

However, these discussions saw the Caribbean country conceding to the date.

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) had also expressed its disapproval of the time frame, making it clear that

The timetable dates released by CXC

A snippet of the CSEC Timetable

structure challenges are insurmountable. According to Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, CSEC and CAPE candidates in Guyana will be taking these tests

page on Monday, it stated: “CXC wishes to advise the public that after extensive consultations with stakeholders, the Council has released the final timetables for the

students hadn’t yet completed their School Based Assessment (SBA) / Internal Assessment (IA) due to the abrupt closure of schools.

Since then, the deadline for

SBA's has been extended until June 30.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT), based in St. Lucia, described the July proposal as “unfortunate and reckless” stating that the health and safety of thousands of students and teachers will be put at risk.

In Guyana, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) said that it is also concerned about the health and safety of its teachers and students even as the country has recorded 153 cases of the virus, 71 of which were active as of May 31.

Guyanese CSEC students are also concerned about the exam dates and told the newspaper two weeks ago that they believe the Administration must fully consider

the challenges faced by developing countries.

Though the concerns expressed are not identical to all Guyanese educators or candidates, the fact remains that the exam dates have seemingly been set in stone.

The first CSEC exams on the morning of July 13 are French 3 (General); Portuguese 3 (General); Spanish 3 (General) and Music 2 (General). French, Portuguese and Spanish Oral Examinations (Paper 3) in each territory will be conducted during the period 13 July - 21 August.

Meanwhile, the Practical Examination in Music (Paper 2) in each territory will be conducted during the period 13 July – 28 July.

CAPE will also begin with French Units 1 and 2

Paper 4; Spanish Units 1 and 2 Paper 4 and the commencement of oral examinations.

For CCSLC, English Language and Spanish will be held on August 5; Mathematics and Social Studies will be held on August 6 and Integrated Science and French will be held on August 7.

The full timetables for each can be accessed at: https://www.cxc.org/examinations/ccslc/timetables/ The Council has been promoting live webinar series on its Facebook page for parents and candidates to get themselves au fait with the e-Testing modality. The Guyana Chronicle is unaware of the number of persons who would have accessed the online sessions.

Suspect in Mahdia murder still at large THE man who was beaten to death a few days ago on the Princeville Access Road, Mahdia, Potaro, has been identified as 23-year-gold miner John Alleyne of Yarakita Village, Region One (Barima-Waini). Alleyne died as a result of multiple injuries.

The incident is reported to have occurred on Friday, May 29,

around 20:30hrs.

Investigations have so far revealed that on the day in question, around 20:00hrs, on the Princeville Access Road, there was a scuffle between 19-year-old Norma Dela Cruz of Moruca, North West District, and 36-year-old Suzette Barjoan, called “Sue,” of Princeville, Mahdia, over Troy Daniels with whom they both shared an intimate

relationship. During the scuffle Dela Cruz was stabbed to the right side of her neck; Cruz then left the scene with Troy Daniels and they went home.

Around 20:30hrs, Alleyne, who was at the scene left to accompany Barjoan to her home. As they were about to pass Dela Cruz’s residence, they were approached

by Nathious Daniels, called “Son-

ny,” who was armed with a piece of wood. Daniels is a 26-year-old pork-knocker of the same village and is also a relative of Troy Daniels. Nathious then asked Barjoan why she had stabbed Cruz and he then dealt Barjoan several lashes to her shoulder; Nathious also dealt John Alleyne several lashes about his body. Nathious’s father Victor Daniels then appeared, took away

the piece of wood from his son and took him home. Meanwhile, Alleyne . to run away but subsequently collapsed. He was taken to the Mahdia Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The police made checks for the suspect Nathious, but he was not arrested. The investigation continues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Law permits public access to death certificates …AG argues

AGAINST the claims of the Opposition that the death certificates in the possession of APNU+AFC party agents were “obtained nefariously”, Attorney General, Basil Williams, has set the record straight by highlighting that every Guyanese has the right to access official documents in the possession of public authorities.

Since the commencement of the national recount, APNU+AFC agents have used the occasion to highlight cases where they believe persons may have voted illegally in the stead of dead persons.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has questioned the agents’ possession of these documents with Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, stating: “It is worrisome to see persons purporting to have those documents in their hands.

Whether they are legitimate or not, the main fact that they have access to it, is of concern.”

AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT However, pointing to the law, the AG cited the Access to Information Act, No. 21 of 2011, section 3(1), which first outlines that “the objective of this Act is to extend the right of members of the public to access information

in the possession of public authorities.”

Further down in section 12(1) of the Act, it states: “Notwithstanding any law to the contrary and subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the right of every Guyanese citizen or person domiciled in Guyana to obtain access to an official document.”

The AG said that an ‘official document’ is defined in section 2 of the Act as “a document held by a public authority in connection with its functions as such, and created after the commencement of this Act and, for the purposes of this definition, a document is held by a public authority if it is in possession, custody or power” Under Section 2, it states that a ‘document’ includes books, maps, plans, graphs, drawings and photographs; any disc, tape, soundtrack or other device in which sound or other data (not being visual images) are embodied so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced therefrom; any film, negative, tape or other device in which one or more visual images are embodied so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced therefrom and any copy of a record which can be produced from a machine readable record under the

Attorney General, Basil Williams

control of a public authority however generated, such copy being deemed to be a record under the control of the public authority.

The AG highlighted that a death certificate falls under the category of both the definition of ‘document’ and ‘official document’ according to the Act. OPEN ACCESS Meanwhile, former Attorney General and PPP/C Executive, Anil Nandlall has also made remarks to the media stating that it is an offence for one to obtain a death certificate belonging to another person.

“The family did not authorise it, the family got their own document but someone in APNU/AFC got this document…this is an abuse of State power,” he said.

However, the AG once again pointed to the Law which details the procedure one should take to gain access to official documents as set out under Section 16 of the Access to Information Act. He said that while it caters for an application to be made to the Commissioner of Information on the requisite form, Section 15 of the Act also creates an exception to accessing official documents from the said Commissioner.

Section 15 gives a list of three conditions wherein it states that “A person may not apply, under this Act for access” if the said conditions are met. These conditions are: (a) a document which contains information that is open to public access or on an official website, as part

of a public register or otherwise, in accordance with any other written law, where even that access is subject to a fee or other charge; (b) a document which contains information that is available for purchase by the public in accordance with arrangements made by a public authority and (c) a document that is available for public inspection in a registry maintained by the Registrar General, the National Archives, Parliament or other public authority.

The AG further explained that the Collins Dictionary states that “you use ‘may’ to indicate that someone is allowed to do something, usually because of a rule or law. You use ‘may not’ to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something.”

“The Section states that a person ‘may not’ apply under the Act in certain instances. The use of ‘may not’ in the section is a prohibition,” he said, adding: “Therefore, for documents mentioned under section 15 of the Access to Information Act, a person is prohibited from accessing those documents from the Commissioner of Information.”

Pointing also to Section 49 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, Cap 44:01, he said that, as it relates to obtaining a death certificate, this document

falls under paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 15 of the Access to Information Act above.

The AG noted that death certificates are available for purchase and inspection in a registry maintained by the Registrar General. When it comes to access, one must be pointed to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act which details how an application must be made.

This must be done pursuant to Section 49 which states: “(1) The Registrar General shall cause indices of all duly completed registration forms in his possession herein mentioned to be made and kept in the General Registrar Office. (2) Everyone shall be entitled, on payment of the fees prescribed by the Minister by order, to search the indices between the hours of ten o’clock in the morning and four o’clock in the afternoon of every day, except public holidays and Saturdays, and to have extracted therefrom a sealed certificate of birth in Form 4 or a sealed certificate of death in Form 5, as the case may be.”

The APNU+AFC claims that it has unearthed over 4,122 numerical irregularities since the commencement of the recount process. Of these cases, they allege that some 41 persons would have voted in the place of dead persons.

No more transactions for ‘non-Scotia’ customers --Bank encouraging use of online platforms amidst COVID-19 fears

THE Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the business landscape, and in “keeping up with the times”, Scotiabank Guyana has reduced its operations by deciding not to facilitate transactions for non-Scotiabank customers.

According to a press statement from ‘Scotia’, this new measure, which will be permanent, will take effect

from June 8, 2020.

The new measure will apply to services such as cashing of cheques; exchange of cash; cash advances in the banking facility; and limits on foreign current transactions.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way business is conducted, and keeping our customers and employees safe remains our top priority,” ‘Scotia’

said, adding: “In line with this, practising physical distancing is critical, and, to this end, limiting the number of persons in our banking halls at any given time is a necessary requirement.”

As an alternative to the new measures, the Bank is suggesting that persons should utilise its digital and Online platforms for processing payments, as this will not only promote

physical distancing, but also afford customers the opportunity of conducting their transactions at their convenience.

Scotiabank says that personal banking customers are now able to conduct third-party transfer of funds to other accounts within Scotiabank and at other banks via it Online banking service, ScotiaOnline.

“Our Small-Business and

Corporate, Commercial and Business Banking clients have our award winning Cash Management Services (CMS) platform available to them for processing payments,” Scotiabank said.

The Bank has also enforced in-bank measures to keep customers and employees safe, and among those measures are assigning dedicated cleaners to perform ongoing cleaning of branches

and ATM vestibules; placing hand sanitisers in customer areas; and the installation of markings to indicate physical distancing, both inside and outside of the branches.

The Bank has also installed transparent panels at the teller and customer representative counters to help provide a safe barrier while persons are conducting their transactions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Natural gas plans were long in the making ALTHOUGH some have criticised ExxonMobil’s flaring of natural gas during production startup instead of the government allowing for its use on shore, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) has emphasised that it commenced preparations for the use of natural gas since 2015.

ExxonMobil has flared over two billion cubic feet of natural gas due to challenges during production start-up and critics have taken note.

In a Stabroek News article, former Presidential Adviser on Petroleum Jan Mangal was quoted as noting his preference for the gas to be used by Guyanese for electricity and other purposes.

In a subsequent release on Monday, the MoPI made it clear that the process of utilising natural gas on shore commenced shortly after the government took office and is not a mere afterthought, as planning takes time.

Providing a timeline of the events, MoPI noted that since September 2015, Cabinet was informed by ExxonMobil that the initial period of production at Liza Phase 1 would result in the flaring of the associated gas. However, Cabinet had advised that flaring of the gas would not be permitted and requested alternative solutions.

The following year, moving closer to ‘first oil,’ ExxonMobil informed Cabinet that the re-injection of associated gas was possible. It was at that period of February 2016 that they were asked to determine what quantity of natural gas could be made available to be transported to shore without adversely affecting oil recovery.

In July 2016, the ‘Guyana Power Generation System Expansion Study’ was presented to Cabinet by the MoPI. The study is supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and included the option of powering part of Guyana’s generating system by natural gas.

Based on the study, results and subsequent discussions, the Ministry of Natural Resources officially requested in September 2016, that Esso Exploration Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) consider the possibility of bringing gas to shore. The official agreement of this request occurred in February 2017.

In the first quarter of 2017, the government commenced early discussions and internal considerations for associated natural gas in the first quarter of 2017. Discussions were held between the Ministry of Natural Resources, the MoPI and EEPGL. It was noted then that Exx-

onMobil would continue to work towards a more detailed assessment of the implications of gas re-injection and gas export.

“Exxon confirmed the possibility of supplying 30 50 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) to shore for the purpose of power-generation,”

were proposed by ExxonMobil for further consideration.

After the visit, the MoPI established an independent Site Selection Team to provide options and recommendations regarding the landing of the pipeline and development of the power plant. This team comprised the Guy-

ly, a draft Proposal for a Full Feasibility Study was submitted by Energy Narrative to the MoPI and the IDB for consideration on November 3, 2017,” the ministry stated.

Between November to December 2017, documentation for the procurement process

Ministers of government during a briefing at the ExxonMobil Campus in Houston, Texas, USA, on natural gas and other matters in 2017

the release had indicated.

In March 2017, the very month that Mangal was appointed Adviser to the Ministry of he Presidency, the MoPI commenced an independent desk study to provide pre-feasibility information. The study was titled ‘Options, Costs, Economics, Impacts and Key Considerations of Transporting and Utilising Gas from Offshore Guyana for the Generation of Electricity for Local Consumption.’

Under Mangal’s tenure, on April 1, 2017, the company ‘Energy Narrative’ was contracted on April 1, 2017 to conduct the said desk study following a restricted tendering process utilising firms on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) shortlist.

The release indicated: “During this period, government continued meetings (April 27) with EEPGL regarding an update and status of activities and projections, including further information on natural gas data, including composition, quality and potential volumes.”

The final report of the desk study was submitted on June 8, 2017 by Energy Narrative to the government with guidance on options, costs, economics, impacts and key considerations of transporting and utilising gas from offshore Guyana for the generation of electricity for local consumption.

This was followed by the visit of a delegation from the government to ExxonMobil’s Houston Campus where the matter of natural gas continued to be discussed between the parties. Three site areas

ana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the Ministry of Business.

On September 12, 2017, a Working Group was convened comprising key organisations including the MoPI, GPL, GEA, Ministry of Finance, GO-INVEST, the Ministry of Business, the Ministry of Natural Resources and more. Its aim was to provide technical advice based on information submitted by ExxonMobil regarding gas-to-power generation.

From the 19-20 of September, the Working Group held discussions between the government and ExxonMobil, which involved a presentation of the project overview, engagement and feedback from the Working Group and discussions on the way forward regarding activities to be pursued.

On October 3 and 6, 2017, the discussions continued to focus on the Site Selection Report, and an additional site was proposed for a cost/benefit analysis and further meetings continued to be held among government representatives through 2017 into the first quarter of 2018.

“Pursuant to the 2016 study, the government undertook an update of the study on system expansion of the generation system, preparations for which commenced in November 2017, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank. This update was essential to develop scenarios for potential use of natural gas and renewable energy sources. Concurrent-

with the IDB for an update of the Study of the Generation System and System Expansion was prepared.

However, in accordance with

the IDB’s process, this contract did not officially commence until February 2018.

On January 8, 2018, a Cabinet Paper on Site Selection and the Natural Gas Project was prepared and presented to ensure continued transparency and awareness.

Then in February 2018, a scoping meeting was held between the MoPI and the World Bank to determine areas of possible technical cooperation and assistance.

Brugman SAS, a consultancy group from Colombia, was contracted by the IDB for the Update of the Study of the Generation System based on discussions and plans made in November December 2017.

In March 2018, the feasibility study by Energy Narrative commenced on the proposed natural gas project as an update to the Desk Study completed in 2017. As an offshoot of this feasibility study, a technical ‘Gas to Power Study’ Expression of Interest (EoI) was advertised by the IDB for consulting services for a technical and economic feasibility study for the development of natural gas use in electricity generation in Guyana.

This was followed by

a presentation to Cabinet by the Working Group on March 20, 2018 which led to permission being granted to continue to explore further the most suitable sites identified in the report. April 2018 saw discussions and document-preparation being continued with the World Bank for contracting an economic adviser for gas matters. It was also in this month that Mangal’s appointment ended.

From April to May 2018, the MoPI reconvened the Site Selection Team as a Site Development Team to conduct further internal developmental work to evaluate various technical and economic considerations.

From May to June 2018, a completion and presentation of the study by Brugman SAS was made to the government and stakeholders.

Then, in August 2018, the Department of Energy (DoE) was established which saw oil and gas matters and further discussions on natural gas being diverted to the DoE. A Working Group was therefore established in September 2019 with EEPGL regarding associated natural gas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Atlantic Gardens businesswoman murdered …suspect arrested after police tear-gassed house A 61-year-old businesswoman was on Monday afternoon discovered dead by the police, in a pool of blood in her Atlantic Gardens’, East Coast Demerara home even as the suspect hid in the upper floor of the two-storey building.

He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. Dead is 61-year-old Sattie Monika Beekharry of Lot 152-154 Begonia Drive Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

As she fought for her life, Beekharry reportedly screamed for help, in an attempt to alert her neighbours. “I was over here cleaning the yard, and hear the lady hollering for murder, and for help; so I alerted my boss lady, and she called the police,” Troy Low told reporters. Low works in a house obliquely opposite that Beekharry’s home.

At the scene, Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor told reporters that the police were called in around 15:00hrs. “The police entered the yard, and they observed a man peeking from a window; they asked him to open, he did not open and so the police broke the door and went in, and found the woman motionless,” the Assistant Commissioner told reporters. The woman’s body was discovered in the kitchen with glaring marks of violence.

Meanwhile, upon realizing that the police were closing in on him, the suspected reportedly hid in the upper floor of the house, and it was then that the police, reportedly tear gas the building so as to have him surrender. The man, according to neighbours, was known to the woman, and was often times seen transporting her around the city.

Beekharry’s nephew – Bonny Singh – told reporters that he received the devastating news of his aunt’s murder at around

The murder scene at Atlantic Gardens

The alleged murder suspect

Essequibo matriarch turns 103 ESSEQUIBO’s oldest woman is Ms. Lucretia Bradford of Cullen, who celebrated her 103rd Birthday on May 25.

Born 1917, she would have lived through both World Wars I & II, experienced the then British Guiana gaining its independence from Great Britain on May 26, 1966, and going on to become a Republic four years later.

With such an interesting past behind her, it’s no wonder she is now advising the present generation that if they want to live as long as she in this COVID-mired season that we’re now in, they’ll need to adhere to the rules and stay indoors, build their immune systems, and most of all, try to spend quality time with their families.

She has a secret weapon or two up her sleeves that she swears by, and that is supplementing your daily diet with all the important vitamins and minerals you can lay your hands on; not forgetting your ‘veggies’ and whatever fruits are in season.

“To be strong, yuh know,” she said, “you have to boil yuh little ginger and turmeric and drink; pick

yuh little cherries, and ask your neighbour for a mango. Eat these things and it will help you.”

Apart from the occasional blurring of her vision, Mrs. Bradford does not suffer from any chronic disease, and still enjoys doing little things on her own, such as taking a shower, and walking around the house.

Of course, her daughter, Patsy, usually takes care of the more demanding tasks like cooking and so on, which is something she says she enjoys doing. She is one of three left alive of Mrs. Bradford’s seven children.

She likes nothing better than to spend the day quietly at home, and interacting with her grandchildren and other family members.

Dead: Sattie Monika Beekharry

15:45hrs from another relative, and immediately rushed to the scene. “Upon arrival, I was asked to accompany the police and I went in, and they asked me to identify her.

However, when I went in I saw a few steps where they had foot mark with blood and then I saw her lifeless body in the kitchen,” Singh recalled.

“I don’t have a clue,” Singh said when asked what could have been the motive, noting that he was trying to grapple with the news of her murder.

He had not been in contact with his aunt for three years, and as such could not establish was relationship his aunt shared with the suspect. However, he confirmed that Beekharry lived in Canada and would periodically visit Guyana. According to him, she returned to Guyana weeks ahead of the General and Regional Elections. According to him, she had stall in the Stabroek Market.

Mrs. Bradford and two of her three children that’re still alive

For her birthday, neighbours and close relatives paid her a visit and held a religious service in her honour.

Mrs. Lucretia Bradford

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

GECOM elections probe…

Police confirm 172 persons from list of 207 were out of jurisdiction

COMMISSIONER of Police, Leslie James, in a letter to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), confirmed that 172 persons from a list of 207 were not in Guyana when the General and Regional Elections were held on March 2.

In response to claims by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) that persons voted in the place of migrants, the Chair of the Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, in a letter on May 22, requested immigration records from the Police Commissioner as the Chief Immigration Officer. The names of 207 individuals were provided to the Police Commissioner based on a list submitted by APNU+AFC, and, according to GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, a response was received on May 27, 2020.

“The response from the [Police] Commissioner would have indicated that 172 out of that 207 did not arrive or return to Guyana on or before the 2nd March,” Ward told reporters during a press conference outside of the Arthur Chung

Conference Centre – the venue of the National Recount.

While the Police Commissioner has confirmed that more than 83 per cent of the persons listed were out of the jurisdiction, Ward was unable to confirm whether those persons’ names were marked off as having voted on Elections Day as alleged by the APNU+AFC. “I would not be able to provide that detail,” the GECOM PRO said when pressed for answers. Asked whether the Elections Secretariat will retrieve the Official List of Electors (OLEs) to confirm or negate the claims of the APNU+AFC, Ward made it known that the issue is actively engaging the attention of the Elections Commission, and, as such, no decision has been made.

“The Commission has not made a decision on the way forward on this matter; and I wouldn’t want to say that it (the OLE) is inaccessible, it is right behind the Arthur Chung Conference Centre,” Ward said while iterating that the issue is still engaging the attention of the Elections Commission.

While GECOM’s PRO has indicated that a single list of 207 names were provided

by the APNU+AFC on May 20, the coalition’s Executive Member, Aubrey Norton, had told reporters, last week, that 600 names were provided to GECOM to support the claims that persons voted in the place of migrants. But those 600 names, according to the APNU+AFC were part of a list of 1,200 plus names of persons, who were alleged to have voted on E-Day but were out of the jurisdiction.

In addition to the 1,200 immigration-related cases, the APNU+AFC has cited over 800 additional cases in which it alleged that there were irregularities and discrepancies, including cases in which persons allegedly voted on behalf of the dead. These irregularities, the coalition has argued, have affected more than 90,000 votes and ought to be thoroughly investigated by the Elections Commission before the results of the March 2 Elections are declared.

However, there has been much debate on whether or not the Elections Commission has the authority to request immigration records from the Immigration Department at this stage of the elections,

and whether it can investigate the claims of electoral fraud being made by the ruling APNU+AFC. While Article 162 empowers the Elections Commission to take necessary actions to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Laws, the Opposition, in referencing Article 163, has maintained that only the High Court has jurisdiction to investigate cases of irregularities and or electoral fraud. The Commission, whose members were nominated by both Government and Opposition, is highly divided on the matter.

Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander, who was nominated by the Government, has argued that GECOM must address the irregularities, which would form part of the observation report, before a declaration is made, while maintaining that Elections Commission has the authority to investigate the discrepancies.

Commissioner Sase Gunraj, who was nominated by the Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic – has, however, argued that GECOM

has no jurisdiction to investigate the claims made by the APNU+AFC, on the grounds that such could only be addressed at the level of the High Court by way of an Elections Petition.

But Political Scientist, Dr David Hinds, in an interview with Guyana Chronicle, said that GECOM, under the Constitution and Elections Law (Amendment) Act, has the authority to investigate the anomalies ahead of the declaration of the results.

“If it could, as the court has said, look into the complaints about the tabulation of Region 4 votes, then it can investigate and pronounce on other forms of inconsistencies,” Dr Hinds submitted, while underscoring the need for GECOM to facilitate a thorough investigation.

He said the discrepancies discovered thus far have already called into question the credibility of the March 2 Elections.

“I think the irregularities uncovered thus far are enough to call into question the credibility of the elections. You simply cannot have a credible outcome if the process is as compromised as we are finding

out. The numbers cannot be right if the process is wrong.

It is as plain and clear as that,” the Political Scientist reasoned.

While dismissing claims that the recount is merely numerical, the Political Scientist said the primary purpose of the National Recount is to determine the credibility of the Elections, and, as such, anomalies and discrepancies ought to be investigated.

“Was the electoral process a credible one? You can best determine that by a comprehensive look at how the electoral architecture was or was not manipulated by persons and forces entrusted with ensuring fairness,” he said while noting that the recount itself is a very expansive investigation.

“So, you do not go through a recount and then at the end of the process say it’s not my duty to pronounce on what I find—leave it to a petition. GECOM cannot do investigation for the court— its investigation is to satisfy its own needs,” Dr. Hinds further stated. He submitted that it is hypocritical to talk about democratic outcomes when the process is undemocratic.

Region Two RDC donates 40 food hampers to differently-abled persons

FORTY persons suffering from various forms of disabilities were recent beneficiaries of food hampers distributed by the Region Two Administration in collaboration with the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The hampers were handed over by Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, accompanied by other staff members. According to Mr. Jaikarran, the Region recognized the continuous struggles that persons are experiencing within the Region due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Many persons are currently unemployed

due to downsizing in the workplace. Due to these facts, the Regional Health Committee Taskforce has decided to reach out to persons living with disabilities throughout the region.

The hampers contained Morning Glory Cereal and other items donated by the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry. More hampers will be distributed in the Lima Sands community in the coming week. Thus far, Region Two has recorded no positive case of Coronavirus; however, awareness continues by the Regional Health Committee Taskforce.

Another presentation

The handing-over ceremony

Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, handing over a hamper to a family

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Ten years on…

Fire again guts New Amsterdam joinery

TEN years after fire destroyed it the first time, New Amsterdam’s lone woodworking establishment again suffered the same fate during the wee hours of the morning on Sunday resulting in the owner incurring losses of in excess of $20M. at Plantation Caracas, Greater New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Divisional Fire Commander Haimchandra Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle that while investigations into this matter are ongoing, he is appealing to property owners to install detection systems in their building, so that persons nearby can be aware of a fire.

He said that in so doing, there can be a quicker response from the Fire Service.

“We responded promptly, but by then the 35 x 45-foot wooden edifice was completely destroyed,” Commander Persaud said. “It would appear as though the ‘Security’ was asleep, but if there was a detection system, there would have

had dispatched a tender to the location.

While he applauded the Service for their promptness, he nevertheless lamented the loss of all his electrical tools,

he estimates to be valued between $5M to $20M. All he’d managed to save, he said, were a few panel doors.

A carpenter and joiner by profession, Leung said he

electrical flaw, or that he had failed to plug out an equipment.

It was at the height of the Christmas season back in December 2010 that Leung’s first

The owner, Tai Lin ‘William’ Leung

been an alarm; persons would have been alerted sooner.”

Businessman Tai Lin ‘William’ Leung, aged 75, recalled receiving a call just after 03:00hrs, informing him that his business-place was on fire. But by the time he contacted the Fire Service, he said, they told him that they’d already been informed, and

What remains of the once thriving New Amsterdam woodworking factory

such as planers, band saws, shapers and moulders which

doubts whether the incident could have been caused by an

factory, then housed on leased property on Pitt Street, New

Amsterdam, was hit by fire, leaving in its wake millions of dollars in losses.

After that tragedy, the business, which had been run from Pitt Street for 14 years, was relocated to its present site at Plantation Caracas, in Greater New Amsterdam, from which it has operated for the past 16 years.

Leung recalled he and his manager, Tarachand, being awakened back then shortly after 01:00hrs by a call saying that there was smoke coming from the shop, which at the time was about a mile-and-ahalf from where they lived.

He said that by the time he entered the lower flat of the two-storeyed building, it was already too late, as the fire had begun to run along the electrical wiring and elsewhere, and try as he might, he could not bring it under control. Thankfully, the business was covered by insurance.

Teaching men to stand their ground --to speak up against intimate partner violence SEVERAL countries across the world have reported an increase in In-

mate Partner Violence and abuse due to the various stay-at-home and lock-

down policies that have been implemented during the current COVID-19

pandemic.

According to Adel Lilly, Manager of the Gender Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Social Protection, COVID-19 has brought with it not only isolation, but economic anxiety and joblessness as well.

“These factors are ‘stressors’ that operate in the context of violence,” Lilly said during an interview.

But the good news, however, is that all the programmes available at the Bureau are gender-neutral, and serve to assist both men and women who are victims of intimate partner violence.

“The context of only male perpetrators and female victims is not true; we do have male victims and female perpetrators,” he said, adding: “The Ministry of Social Protection’s Gender Affairs Bureau extensively lends support to males who are exposed to any form of violence.”

He said that the low incidence of reported cases of male abuse is not surprising, because men are often socialised not to express feelings or to see themselves as victims.

“There is this view in society that, as a man, you are supposed to suck it up,” Lilly said, but as he went on to explain, the Agency often hears from male victims who say they are often not believed or taken seriously.

“Many feel that to report any form of abuse will somehow emasculate them,” he said. “Some have ex-

pressed shame, and refuse to acknowledge the abuse from their partners, and this leads to the denial of their

porting mechanisms”.

“We feel that it may be cases whereby the reporting mechanism has broken

Gender Affairs Bureau Manager, Adel Lilly

situation.”

The abuse of men, he said, can take many forms: From sexual, to physical, verbal, financial, emotional and physiological, intimidation and threats, as well as property damage and social isolation.

Also, male victims more than female can experience legal and administrative abuse. “This is the use of institutions to inflict further abuse on the victim. For example, taking out false restraining orders, or not allowing the victim to have access to his children,” Lilly said.

Noting the low incidence of IPF reports by men in Guyana during the pandemic, Lilly said this may not necessarily be as a result of fewer cases, but more likely because of what he describes as “an interruption in the “re-

down,” he said, “because, under normal circumstances, victims of abuse can be identified at school, the workplace, or even when they are visiting family and friends...

So when no one is seeing the victims, no one can report the suspected case.”

He feels that now is the time when persons in the community and the victim’s support system [family, friends, religious leaders etc.] have to be more vigilant, be more aware and ask more questions.

He indicated that the gency is working closely with the Guyana Police Force and several non-governmental organisations to effectively curb intimate-partner violence against both women and men.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Player safety ...

FROM BACKPAGE

“There are two reasons to have an extra massage therapist and physio because they’re absolutely key especially for our fast bowlers in what will be three back-toback Test matches.

“We’re also travelling with a doctor from the Caribbean as well so we’ll have a doctor/physician assigned to the team, full time dedicated to us. He will travel with the team and be with them all the time.”

Grave said the other reason for the including the extra physio and therapist was simply to provide backup personnel.

On arrival in the UK, the touring party will be transported in three to four separate coaches to Old Trafford in Manchester where they will then undergo quarantine in a hotel located at the storied cricket ground.

During that time, players will kick off their final prepa-

rations for the first Test which is scheduled for the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The last two Tests have been carded for Old Trafford, subject to final approval.

“They will be the only team that’s there [at Old Trafford]. It will be completely private – private use for the West Indies team for three weeks,” the Englishman explained.

“We’re flying over with as many as 25 players so we’ll be able to play practice matches and train during which will be a two-week official quarantine, followed by another week of training before we head down to what we think will be the venue for first Test at Southampton.”

The tour had been scheduled for last month but became a casualty of the ongoing pandemic which has already forced the cessation of all cricket globally.

If it comes off, the series will the first set of international cricket played in nearly three months, and the first-ever “bio-secure” tour behind closed doors.

For its part, the UK has been particularly hard hit by the virus, with 276 000 recorded infections and just over 39 000 deaths.

But Grave said with the cases in the UK on a “sharp downward spiral”, CWI were

convinced the tour could be success.

“We wouldn’t have contemplated this tour at all, we wouldn’t have taken any recommendation to our Board of Directors [last Thursday] unless our medical advisory committee made up of some very experienced doctors who poured over hundreds of pages of detailed plans [hadn’t thought it was safe],” he said.

“If this wasn’t safe, if we thought the players were going to be at any greater risk than they would be if they were staying at home in the Caribbean, then we wouldn’t have contemplated this tour.

“I think the cases in the UK seem to be on the sharp downward spiral so we hope that by the time the team get there the week after next, the situation in the UK is better and obviously throughout the tour it continues to improve.”

He continued: “But within this bio-secure environment, on these private charters, staying in a cricket ground where this is a hotel where no one else will be able to get in unless they’ve been tested, I think they players will be very, very safe.

“I’ve had assurances from very experienced doctors from within the UK and our whole medical panel here in the Caribbean.”

Windies players told me India

didn’t want to see Pakistan qualify for semi-finals: Mushtaq Ahmed “I WAS working with the West Indies squad at last year’s World Cup. After India’s loss to England, Jason Holder, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell said to me, Mushy, India didn’t want to see Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals,” Mushtaq Ahmed told Pakistani news channel ARY Sports All-rounder Ben Stokes talking about India’s run-chase against England in the 2019 World Cup in his book has taken a new turn now with former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed saying that West Indies players had told him after watching the game that India lost the game to stop Pakistan from entering the knockout stages.

Stokes has denied the claims that in his latest book “Ben Stokes on Fire”, he suggested that India deliberately lost to England at the 2019 World Cup in the round-robin stage.

Former Pakistan bowler Sikander Bakht recently claimed on Twitter that Stokes, in his book, has said that India lost intentionally to England

to remove Pakistan from the World Cup. “Ben Stokes writes in his book that India lost to England deliberately to remove Pakistan from world Cup 19 and we predicted it,” Bakht tweeted.

In response to Bakht’s tweet, a Twitter user asked where has Stokes made such comments. In response to the user’s question, the star England all-rounder himself responded: “You won’t find it cause I have never said it... it’s called “twisting of words” or “click bait”.”

IANS has also reviewed the book and there was no such mention. In his book, Stokes does talk about the approach of the Indians in that chase and how it was surprising to see them looking to keep wickets in the kitty and take the game to the backend.

Stokes, in fact, also speaks about how this might no longer be the smart way of approaching the game as the required run-rate starts piling up and it starts impacting those that come in at the fall of a wicket.(Reprinted from Hindustan Tines)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Covid-19 break may add ‘a year or two’ to James Anderson’s career ENGLAND fast bowler James Anderson believes the enforced break from cricket due to the coronavirus pandemic could prolong his career.

Anderson, 37, is part of a 55-player group that has been asked to return to training, with the first Test against West Indies set to start on 8 July.

Anderson has regained full fitness after picking up a rib injury on England’s winter tour of South Africa.

“It could just add on a year or two at the end of my career,” said Anderson.

The Lancashire paceman, who is England’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, has only bowled 74 overs since August after missing large parts of last summer’s Ashes and the winter tours of New Zealand and South Africa through injury.

He has been bowling in the nets at Old Trafford with social distancing measures in place.

Speaking on the latest Tailenders podcast, Anderson said: “I’ve really enjoyed being back and as odd as it is just bowling into a net, with

not many people around, it’s still nice to be back and playing cricket.

“I bring all the kit myself - my bands and med balls to warm-up with - and I’ve got my own cricket balls which I don’t normally have.

“I have a quick lap round the outfield and then straight into the nets. I bowl a few overs and then get straight back in the car and go home.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to announce a revamped summer schedule this week.

“I got up to speed quite

quickly. I’m off my full run up and I feel like I’m ready to play now,” Anderson said. “I need to just calm down a bit.

“As players you are working towards the 8 July date as if it’s going to happen but obviously each stage has to be ticked off by the government, most importantly, and secondly the ECB.” The series will take place behind closed doors and Anderson, like team-mate Jofra Archer, supports the idea of playing artificial crowd noise at the games.

“I’ve been watching the rugby league in Australia and

Janes Anderson is part of a 55-player group that has returned to training.

I actually thought there was a crowd watching because they were playing crowd noise through the speaker in the stadium,” Anderson said.

“I actually thought it

worked. It was nice to have that sort of atmosphere even though there was noone there.”

Waqar urges Afridi and Gambhir to end social media war New Delhi (AFP) - Former Pakistan star Waqar Younis has called on Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir to end their social media war, and for India and Pakistan to resume playing cricket.

After being fierce onfield rivals, Pakistan’s Afridi and former Indian opener Gambhir have become involved in heated social media exchanges over the troubled Kashmir region, which is claimed

by both countries.

Gambhir is now a lawmaker in the Indian parliament, while Afridi has his own foundation and is a vocal activist.

Waqar advised the pair to “calm down” in an online chat show.

“The banter between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi has been going on for a while now.

I think they both got to be smart, sensible, and calm down,” said Waqar.

Former Pakistan star Waqar Younis has urged Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir to bury the hatchet over their social media war (AFP Photo/ARIF ALI)

“It has been going on for way too long. My advice to them is to maybe catch up somewhere around the world and talk it out if you cannot really calm it down.”

India and Pakistan have not played a series since 2012-2013 and have hit a new peak in tensions over Kashmir, which they have fought over since their independence in 1947.

India frequently accuses Pakistan of organ-

ising militant attacks in the sector of the Himalayan region that it administers.

Waqar, 48, said a cricket series would boost relations between the arch-rival neighbours.

“I think that it would be the biggest hit of the world,” said Waqar.

“I think Pakistan (and) India should play, and should play on a regular basis to avoid depriving cricket lovers.”

Judge revealed by PCB ahead of Umar Akmal’s appeal UMAR Akmal is a step closer to learning when an appeal against his three-year cricket ban will be heard after an independent adjudicator was appointed.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Sunday that former Supreme Court judge Justice Faqir Muhammad Khokhar would hear the appeal.

Announcing the appointment, the PCB said: “The independent adjudicator will now decide

Umar Akmal has played 121 ODIs for Pakistan

on the date of the appeal hearing. As soon as this is confirmed, the PCB will make the announcement.”

Akmal was issued with his ban from all cricket in April, after two alleged breaches of the PCB’s anti-corruption code.

The limited-overs specialist, now 30, was accused of “failing to disclose to the PCB vigilance and security department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches

or invitations received by the participant to engage in corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code”.

Akmal, who was provisionally suspended on February 20, could have faced a lifetime ban.

The batsman has played 121 ODIs and 84 Twenty20 Internationals, also featuring in 16 Tests between 2009 and 2011.

Meanwhile, the PCB waved goodbye to several leading figures from with-

in its ranks on Sunday, amid a slew of personnel changes within the organisation and the national cricket academy.

“Mudassar Nazar, Haroon Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmed and Agha Zahid finish their innings at the PCB today,” the board said on Twitter.

“While the PCB thanks and wishes them well, it also welcomes Nadeem Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Grant Bradburn and Asser Malik.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Covid-19 break may add ‘a year or two’ to James Anderson’s career ENGLAND fast bowler James Anderson believes the enforced break from cricket due to the coronavirus pandemic could prolong his career.

Anderson, 37, is part of a 55-player group that has been asked to return to training, with the first Test against West Indies set to start on 8 July.

Anderson has regained full fitness after picking up a rib injury on England’s winter tour of South Africa.

“It could just add on a year or two at the end of my career,” said Anderson.

The Lancashire paceman, who is England’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, has only bowled 74 overs since August after missing large parts of last summer’s Ashes and the winter tours of New Zealand and South Africa through injury.

He has been bowling in the nets at Old Trafford with social distancing measures in place.

Speaking on the latest Tailenders podcast, Anderson said: “I’ve really enjoyed being back and as odd as it is just bowling into a net, with

not many people around, it’s still nice to be back and playing cricket.

“I bring all the kit myself - my bands and med balls to warm-up with - and I’ve got my own cricket balls which I don’t normally have.

“I have a quick lap round the outfield and then straight into the nets. I bowl a few overs and then get straight back in the car and go home.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to announce a revamped summer schedule this week.

“I got up to speed quite

quickly. I’m off my full run up and I feel like I’m ready to play now,” Anderson said. “I need to just calm down a bit.

“As players you are working towards the 8 July date as if it’s going to happen but obviously each stage has to be ticked off by the government, most importantly, and secondly the ECB.” The series will take place behind closed doors and Anderson, like team-mate Jofra Archer, supports the idea of playing artificial crowd noise at the games.

“I’ve been watching the rugby league in Australia and

Janes Anderson is part of a 55-player group that has returned to training.

I actually thought there was a crowd watching because they were playing crowd noise through the speaker in the stadium,” Anderson said.

“I actually thought it

worked. It was nice to have that sort of atmosphere even though there was noone there.”

Waqar urges Afridi and Gambhir to end social media war New Delhi (AFP) - Former Pakistan star Waqar Younis has called on Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir to end their social media war, and for India and Pakistan to resume playing cricket.

After being fierce onfield rivals, Pakistan’s Afridi and former Indian opener Gambhir have become involved in heated social media exchanges over the troubled Kashmir region, which is claimed

by both countries.

Gambhir is now a lawmaker in the Indian parliament, while Afridi has his own foundation and is a vocal activist.

Waqar advised the pair to “calm down” in an online chat show.

“The banter between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi has been going on for a while now.

I think they both got to be smart, sensible, and calm down,” said Waqar.

Former Pakistan star Waqar Younis has urged Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir to bury the hatchet over their social media war (AFP Photo/ARIF ALI)

“It has been going on for way too long. My advice to them is to maybe catch up somewhere around the world and talk it out if you cannot really calm it down.”

India and Pakistan have not played a series since 2012-2013 and have hit a new peak in tensions over Kashmir, which they have fought over since their independence in 1947.

India frequently accuses Pakistan of organ-

ising militant attacks in the sector of the Himalayan region that it administers.

Waqar, 48, said a cricket series would boost relations between the arch-rival neighbours.

“I think that it would be the biggest hit of the world,” said Waqar.

“I think Pakistan (and) India should play, and should play on a regular basis to avoid depriving cricket lovers.”

Judge revealed by PCB ahead of Umar Akmal’s appeal UMAR Akmal is a step closer to learning when an appeal against his three-year cricket ban will be heard after an independent adjudicator was appointed.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Sunday that former Supreme Court judge Justice Faqir Muhammad Khokhar would hear the appeal.

Announcing the appointment, the PCB said: “The independent adjudicator will now decide

Umar Akmal has played 121 ODIs for Pakistan

on the date of the appeal hearing. As soon as this is confirmed, the PCB will make the announcement.”

Akmal was issued with his ban from all cricket in April, after two alleged breaches of the PCB’s anti-corruption code.

The limited-overs specialist, now 30, was accused of “failing to disclose to the PCB vigilance and security department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches

or invitations received by the participant to engage in corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code”.

Akmal, who was provisionally suspended on February 20, could have faced a lifetime ban.

The batsman has played 121 ODIs and 84 Twenty20 Internationals, also featuring in 16 Tests between 2009 and 2011.

Meanwhile, the PCB waved goodbye to several leading figures from with-

in its ranks on Sunday, amid a slew of personnel changes within the organisation and the national cricket academy.

“Mudassar Nazar, Haroon Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmed and Agha Zahid finish their innings at the PCB today,” the board said on Twitter.

“While the PCB thanks and wishes them well, it also welcomes Nadeem Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Grant Bradburn and Asser Malik.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Ganguly opens up on the possibility of IPL 2020

OVER the past couple of months, the sporting scenario has come to a standstill due to COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic has spread havoc around the globe and even the sports fraternity has not been spared. There hasn’t been a trace of international cricket since the Australia-New Zealand ODI series and cricket fraternity is eagerly waiting for the resumption of sporting action.

Meanwhile, the an nouncement of ‘Unlock 1.0’ in India has served as a ray of hope for the BCCI to host the much-awaited IPL 2020 in the near future. With India opening up areas under

green zones under ‘Unlock 1.0’, many fans are now anticipating the IPL 2020 to take place in the latter stage of the year.

However, nothing seems certain at the moment as the BCCI has still not cemented the possibility of hosting the cash-rich league. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, amid all the uncertainty, has stated that the board is looking at all the options but it’s tough to predict the future at the moment.

“We can’t say what will happen in the days to come.

It is tough to predict. We are looking at all options.

We are still not sure when cricket could resume,” said Ganguly as quoted by

BCC president Sourav Ganguly

Sportskeeda.

Ganguly said that even if IPL happens this year, its venue is still in jeopardy.

According to Ganguly, it’s too early to say anything as the board is yet to officially discuss the IPL schedule,

India’s Bumrah seeks ‘alternative’ to saliva on cricket ball

New Delhi (AFP) - Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah said cricket should seek an “alternative” for shining the ball if the game’s governing body ban the use of saliva during the coronavirus pandemic.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to implement a ban for the game’s return when they meet next week after receiving medical advice that spit poses a COVID-19 transmission risk.

Handshakes, celebratory high-fives and hugs are also likely to be off-limits when international cricket resumes with safety protocols in place.

“I was not much of a hugger anyway, and not a high-five person as well, so that doesn’t trouble me a lot,” Bumrah said in an ICC video chat with the former West Indies pace bowler Ian Bishop and the ex-captain of South Africa, Shaun Pollock.

“The only thing that interests me is the saliva bit,” added the 26-year-old Bumrah.

“I don’t know what guidelines that we have to follow when we come back, but I feel there should be an alternative.

“If the ball is not well maintained, it’s difficult for the bowlers. The grounds are getting shorter and shorter,

India’s Jasprit Bumrah wants an alternative to saliva to be used to shine the cricket ball when the sport returns from coronavirus lockdown (AFP Photo/Marty MELVILLE)

the wickets are becoming flatter and flatter. So we need something.”

Pace bowlers usually try to make the ball swing through the air by shining one side on their clothing aided by using sweat or saliva and leaving the other half to become scuffed.

Anil Kumble, chairman of the ICC cricket committee that recommended banning saliva, insisted the move was only an “interim measure”.

Australian cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra is

developing a wax applicator that allows players to shine the ball without using saliva or sweat.

But its use would need a change in the laws of cricket which forbid the use of any artificial substance to alter the ball.

Test players have in the past been accused of using lozenges, petroleum jelly and resin to keep the shine on the ball, and also scuffing it with bottle tops, trouser zippers, grit or fingernails.

The most notorious re-

cent incident was in 2018, when Australian players attempted to alter the ball with sandpaper during a Test against South Africa in Cape Town, resulting in lengthy bans for the three involved -Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

Bumrah, who has emerged as India’s lead paceman since his Test debut in 2018, has claimed 68 wickets in 14 Tests and 104 scalps in 64 one-day internationals.

depending on the safety of the environment. More than the IPL, saving human life and break COVID-19 chain is more important, according to the former India skipper.

“If at all, IPL does happen, we don’t know where it could happen. India would certainly like to host the event, provided the environment is safe. Right now, we are not in a position to say anything.

It is too early. We are yet to officially discuss the IPL schedule. But it depends on the safety of the environment. Saving human life and breaking the coronavirus chain are more important for all of us,” Ganguly said.

Ganguly also opened up on how he’s spending his

time during the lockdown.

He said that he has been home with his family but is really bothered by the way people are suffering due to the pandemic. Talking about the spread of COVID-19 in India, over 1.9 lakh people have tested positive so far and over 5000 individuals have succumbed to death.

“I have been at home only with my family. I am really bothered by the way people are suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic.

I can’t say how many people benefitted through my charity foundation. I am trying my best. We all are doing our bit in little ways to come out of this crisis,” said Ganguly amid the crisis. (CricTracker)

Smith ‘in best shape’ despite not picking up bat in months Sydney (AFP) - Australia star Steve Smith admitted Monday he has barely picked up a bat since cricket shut down, but said he was in his best physical shape in years.

The 30-year-old, the world’s number one Test batsman, has been out of action since March, when Australia’s one-day series against New Zealand was abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He returned to training with his New South Wales teammates Monday as they await the green light for competitive cricket to start again, targeting a home one-day series against Zimbabwe in August.

“I feel like I’ve had a pre-season the last couple of months. Got myself into probably the best shape I’ve been in years. Lots of running, lots of gym stuff,” Smith said.

“It’s been a couple of months of good hard work and now back with the boys, which is great.”

But with no net practice, he has barely picked up his bat.

“I haven’t touched a bat, really. A couple of little drills at home but that’s about it,” said Smith, who has

plundered more than 7,000 Test runs.

“I’ve just tried to switch off from it a bit, which I don’t do very often. I was just focusing on getting myself fit and strong and refreshing mentally.

“It’s been a bit different but I’m sure in the long run it will probably be a good thing to freshen up after what was a pretty long year-and-ahalf since the World Cup and Ashes and summer here.

“I’m refreshed and ready to go,” he added.

If the virus had not struck, Smith would have been in the plane to Bangladesh this month for a two-Test series, after playing in the postponed Indian Premier League.

He was one of six Cricket Australia-contracted players in the New South Wales squad who rejoined their state teammates Monday, including David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.

The squad has been divided into four groups who alternate morning and afternoon indoor gym and skills sessions as part of COVID-19 return-to-training protocols.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Messi says football will never be the same post coronavirus

LIONEL Messi thinks football “like life, will never be the same again” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, as the Barcelona superstar prepares to return to the field with La Liga poised to restart.

Covid-19 has killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world and caused the banning of mass gatherings in most countries, meaning football has had to take a back seat for several weeks amid the battle against the virus.

There are plans for a return to a certain normality in the coming weeks, however, with several major football leagues in Europe having either restarted or are plan-

ning to resume their 2019-20 seasons.

La Liga is scheduled to start again on June 11, with Messi’s Barcelona aiming to maintain their two-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the table.

However, Messi has admitted it is tricky to focus on football given the immense impact of coronavirus, speaking out about the “frustration” of being unable to save or protect loved ones, and his belief that football as with the rest of life - will have to face up to enormous changes because of the pandemic.

Messi told El Pais: “Most of us are left with doubts about what the

‘Football will never be the same’ - Barcelona star Lionel Messi thinks coronavirus pandemic will change the game forever.

world is going to be like after everything that has happened. Beyond the confinement and the situation that took us by surprise, many people had a really hard time because this situation affected them in some way, as it happened with all those who lost their family and friends and could not even see them.

“I think there were a lot of negative things in this crisis, but there can be nothing worse than losing the people you love the most, that creates enormous frustration for me and seems to me the most unfair thing of all.

“Soccer, like life in general, I think will never be the same.”

Despite the immense toll the lockdown has taken mentally and physically on players, they will return to action in Spain in a couple of weeks, as Messi’s team-mate Luis Suarez says Barcelona remain as determined as ever to “win all we can”.

He told Sport: “The ambitions are the same, win all we can and I think that we’re in good shape to do that, I see the team doing well and it’s hopeful.”

There are 11 games left in the Liga season, while Barcelona are also in the last 16 of the Champions League, although it is unclear when or if that competition can be finished.

(Goal.com)

Hector cameo helps Breakers win inaugural T10 tile

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC) – Former Windward Islands batsman Donwell Hector saved his best in nings for last, as he helped Salt Pond Breakers beat La Soufriere Hikers by 19 runs and lift the inaugural T10 Vincy Premier League title here Sunday.

Until Sunday’s final, the 31-year-old Hector had managed just 28 runs from seven innings, with a highest score of 10. In Saturday’s semi-final, he suffered the ignominy of being run out before he had faced a single ball.

However, the experienced right-hander put his woes behind him to top score with

a crucial 28 off 17 balls as Breakers, sent in at Arnos Vale Stadium, rallied to 100 for six off their allotted 10 overs.

Breakers lost Test batsman and leading scorer Sunil Ambris cheaply for 15 to find themselves struggling at 30 for three at the end of the fourth over but Hector arrived to put on 35 for the fourth wicket with Urnel Thomas (13) to rescue the innings.

Hector, who played the last of his 26 first class matches three years ago, struck one four and a pair of sixes before perishing at the start of the final over.

In reply, Hikers slumped to

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42 for seven at the start of the seventh over with Windward Islands Volcanoes batsman Dillon Douglas and Desron Maloney both perishing cheaply for five.

Breakers fielded brilliantly to effect four run outs in the innings, leaving Hikers to limp to 81 for nine off their 10 overs.

Botanical Gardens Rangers’ Hyron Shallow, who played 13 first class matches for Windwards between 2005 and 2008, was the tourna-

The inaugural T10 tournament was played behind closed doors at the Arnos Vale Stadium.

ment’s leading scorer with 285 runs.

Ambris, poised to tour England with West Indies in July, made 274 runs at an average of 39 and snared 10 wickets with his off-spin.

The tournament, the first competitive cricket staged in the Caribbean since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was played behind closed doors with strict social distancing measures and sanitary protocols enforced.

County cricket players wage cuts extended into June and July COUNTY cricketers will continue to take pay cuts of up to 20% in June and July, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has confirmed.

Salaries have been reduced since April and some players have been furloughed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The domestic season has been postponed until at least 1 August.

Options for playing first-class and limited-overs competitions later in the summer will be presented to the England and Wales Cricket Board in June.

But at least 10 rounds of the County Championship campaign, which was scheduled to start on 12 April, will be lost.

The deal would see players on multiyear contracts accept a pay cut of no more than 20%, with 12% the limit for single-year contracts unless agreed otherwise.

A total of 134 county players are out of contract at the end of the year.

Worcestershire’s Daryl Mitchell has been PCA chairman since 2017

Worcestershire all-rounder and PCA chairman Daryl Mitchell said: “This has not been an easy decision and causes a great deal of disruption to many of our members. However, the PCA Players’ Committee ultimately agreed this is the right thing to do.”

Mitchell continued: “Working collaboratively through this crisis has always been one of our top priorities and I appreciate the collective spirit of these discussions with the first-class counties, particularly at this most challenging of times.

“The understanding and support I have had from the PCA Players’ Committee and senior players around the counties has continued to be vital.

“As a group we have been in constant communication to ensure we are supporting the interests of all professional players in England and Wales while being alert to the need for players to play their part.”(BBC Sport).

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Kennard eyeing August as potential date for next horse race meet

-Says jockeys’, horses’ safety and health imperative

By Clifton Ross

PRESIDENT of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC), Justice (Rtd) Cecil Kennard said the horse-racing fraternity is still hopeful of action in the near future, but is more focused on the health and safety of its horses and jockeys.

March’s proposed annual Phagwah Day race had to be indefinitely postponed following COVID-19 making her way to local shores, thus resulting in the ongoing lockdown/curfew state.

Following Boxing Day’s 2019 mega race, the KMTC, like many other local sports associations/bodies, were

forced to abandon any shortterm plans of live action and wait out the pandemic with hopes of things returning to normalcy.

Justice Kennard, in a brief interview with Chronicle Sport, yesterday, said he was hopeful that things could start picking up again in the near future, adding that the past few months have been disappointing for the local turfites.

“Like everyone else, we are very disappointed, we appreciate those horse owners and jockeys and the respective clubs and those who cater to the sports, but the situation is far beyond our control”.

He said.

Fans have been suffering from the lack of live action;

stakeholders and even some athletes have been in distress due to COVID-19 and the restrictions.

In horse racing, a few of the owners/breeders are financially stable; some, according to Kennard, are not that well-off and, as such, rely on the sport to provide for their families. Hence, the lack of action has definitely hurt the fraternity.

“Not too many horses are owned by wealthy persons, so some of the jockeys need action to support their families.

The people are disappointed but they are also concerned about their health and I’m very concerned as well because we have to think about the lives of human beings”,

KMTC is preparing for a possible return to horse racing in August

said Justice Kennard.

With regards to combating the pandemic, Kennard said a few of the popular clubs, including Nand Persaud, Rising Sun, Port Mourant, to name a few, have met prior to lockdown in order to discuss a way forward in dealing with the logistics with regards to making the future safer for horses and jockeys alike.

The KMTC boss said that post covid-19 plans for safety

should see fans and athletes continuing to practice social-distancing among other mandates.

He said from a financial perspective, he also believed that it will take a lot for associations to bounce back from this rough patch created by the pandemic, which has seen the world undergoing somewhat of a recession.

“Persons should continue to practice social distancing and wear masks. It will take

a long time for us to rebuild financially because most of the income of the clubs come from sponsorship and they have been taking some blows recently”. He ended.

Meanwhile, Kennard said he had identified August 4th as the next date for a possible return to action, with October and the marquee Boxing Day meet, being the other two major race dates on the cards for the remainder of 2020.

Hamilton slams F1 silence on racial injustice, drivers react

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Formula One drivers followed Lewis Hamilton’s lead on Monday after the six-times world champion criticised his sport’s silence over the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white U.S. police officer knelt on his neck.

The death in Minneapolis triggered a wave of outrage and violent protests in the United States.

Britain’s Hamilton, Formula One’s first black world champion who spends much of his time in America, spoke out on Instagram on Sunday.

“I see those of you who are staying silent, some of

you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice,” wrote the Mercedes driver.

“Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport. I’m one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone,” he added.

“I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can’t stand alongside us. Just know I know who you... are and I see you.”

In a second post, Hamilton added: “I do not stand with those looting and burning buildings but those who are protesting peacefully.

There can be no peace until our so called leaders make

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during press conference REUTERS/Loren Elliott

change.”

Mercedes retweeted the latter comment and issued a statement assuring Hamilton that they stood with him.

“Tolerance is an elementary principle of our team and we are enriched by diversity in all its forms,” it added,

condemning any discrimination.

Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo said Floyd’s death was “a disgrace”.

“Racism is toxic and needs to be addressed not with violence or silence but with unity and action,” the

Australian wrote on Instagram.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc said on Twitter he had felt “out of place and uncomfortable” sharing his thoughts on social media about the situation but realised he had been “completely wrong”.

“I still struggle to find the words to describe the atrocity of some videos I’ve seen on Internet. Racism needs to be met with actions, not silence,” added the Monegasque.

Williams driver George Russell echoed Leclerc’s words and said it was time to kick racism out.

“We all have a voice to speak up for what’s right — and until now I didn’t know how to use mine in this situ-

ation,” said the Briton.

“Ultimately, no matter how uncomfortable it may be to speak out, silence achieves nothing.”

McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris also spoke out while Racing Point’s Sergio Perez tweeted the #blacklivesmatter hashtag and Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi called for #JusticeForFloyd.

There have been several nights of unrest over race and policing in many U.S. cities as a series of curfews failed to quell confrontations between some protesters and police.

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged last Friday with third-degree murder in the death of 46-year-old Floyd.

Sancho scores hat-trick on Dortmund return ENGLAND’s Jadon Sancho scored the first hat-trick of his career on his first start since the Bundesliga resumed as Borussia Dortmund thrashed Paderborn.

After an uneventful first half, Thorgan Hazard put Dortmund ahead with a tap-in before Sancho slotted home his first goal since 29 February.

Sancho added the third after Uwe Hunemeier’s penalty reduced the bottom side’s deficit before Achraf Hakimi and Marcel Schmelzer made it 5-1.

Sancho got his third in stoppage time.

The 20-year-old is the first English player to score an overseas hat-trick in one of Europe’s major leagues for 31 years - former Luton forward Brian Stein was the last person to achieve the feat, playing for Caen against Cannes in France’s Ligue 1 on 31 May 1989.

After scoring his first goal, Sancho took off his shirt to reveal a “Justice For George Floyd” T-shirt. Floyd died after being arrested by police outside

a shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 25 May. The England forward was booked for removing his Dortmund top.

Sancho later wrote on Instagram: “Delighted to get my first career hat trick, a bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change.”

His first goal came after a pass by Julian Brandt, while the former Manchester City youth player produced a smart finish following an assist by

Jadon Sancho revealed a ‘Justice for George Floyd’ T-Shirt after scoring against Paderborn

Hazard for his second.

Sancho’s hat-trick, and his 17th Bundesliga goal of the season, arrived in the 91st minute after being played in down the right.

The win kept alive Dortmund’s faint hopes of winning the Bundesliga title, Bayern Munich’s lead at the top now seven points with five games remaining.

Paderborn remain rooted at the bottom, eight points behind Fortuna Dusseldorf, who are 16th in a relegation play-off place.(BBC Sport)

Player safety guaranteed for England series: Grave

West Indies will be based at Old Trafford, pictured in the background here.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jun 1, CMC – Cricket West Indies has outlined some of the strict protocols which will govern the proposed tour of England, stressing it would not have backed plans for the three-Test series unless it was totally convinced the novel measures could keep players and staff completely safe.

Speaking here last weekend, CWI chief executive Johnny Grave said both the regional governing body and the host England and Wales Cricket Board had gone to extreme lengths to develop and implement critical

social distancing and sanitisation protocols for the seven-week tour, to mitigate against the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pointing to an increased touring party, a private charter to the United Kingdom, guaranteed “bio-secure” facilities, and the addition of a medical doctor to the touring party, Grave reiterated that the health and safety of players was the utmost priority and would not be compromised at any stage.

“The plan at the moment is to depart from Antigua where most of the LIAT aircraft are based at the moment so we have one charter

that will come across from Kingston [with the Jamaican players] to Antigua and one aircraft will fly from here in Antigua down to Guyana and then work its way back up [with players from the southern Caribbean],” Grave told i95FM Sports here, adding that all 25 players and members of management would be tested for COVID-19 in the Caribbean before flying out.

“All of the players will immediately get on a transatlantic charter to the UK. It’s a private charter, the aircraft being completely remodelled with only 40 business class seats, with

social distancing between each seat.

“It’s a big plane but only 40 seats so there will be plenty of room and very safe, and it will only be the players and team management that are accompanying them on that flight.”

West Indies will be based at Old Trafford, pictured in the background here.

He added: “Because we’ve got 25 players – and obviously we don’t want anything to happen medically – we’re travelling with an extra physiotherapist and extra massage therapist.

SEE PAGE 19

Thrumming hooves mark return of English sport at Newcastle

James Sullivan riding Zodiakos wins The Betway Welcome Back British Racing Handicap at Newcastle Racecourse, as racing resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Newcastle Upon Tyne, Britain, June 1, 2020. Alan Crowhurst/ Pool via REUTERS

By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - The thrum of hooves pounding the ground returned to Newcastle racecourse on Monday as competitive sport resumed in England after the shutdownbecause of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In normal times the 1pm at Newcastle would barely register beyond the Racing Post and the country’s betting shops.

But as Zodiakos, a 22-1 shot ridden by Jimmy Sullivan, galloped past the winning post on the all-weather circuit, it represented a big leap forward in the nation’s quest to return to some kind of sporting normality.

“Everything has gone well so far. We’ve left no stone unturned. We are the first live sport on so there is incredible pressure. But there is enormous privilege too,” Martin Cruddace, CEO of ARC

racing who own the course, said of the 10-race card, featuring 45 jockeys and 120 horses.

“If you had put a heart-rate monitor on me before the first race it might have been in the red zone.

It’s calmed down now.”

With Premier League soccer gearing up for a return on June 17, all eyes were on Newcastle after the government on Saturday gave the green light for a return of competitive sport in England, provided strict criteria, including no spectators and a raft of health measures, were met.

No horse-racing has taken place for 76 days and the resumption was in a tightly-controlled environment.

Access to the course was limited and everyone present had to have completed a medical questionnaire, have a temperature check on arrival and stick to strict social-distancing rules.

Jockeys wore face masks during the race.

“In this heat today, riding in the mask, it is very warm and after pulling up I pulled it down a little just to get a few breaths in,” Sullivan said.

British horse-racing is estimated to contribute around 4 billion pounds ($4.96 billion) into the economy, with 20,000 people involved directly or indirectly in the industry.

While sports fans will hope the return of racing at Newcastle will pave the way for more sports to resume, the bookmakers are also breathing a sigh of relief.

“The Newcastle markets have been really lively this morning with volume and turnover well ahead of what you could expect for Newcastle on a Monday afternoon,” a spokesman for Betfair said.

As other sports prepare for a return, horse-racing will take centre stage this week with other courses opening up and this weekend Newmarket hosting the prestigious 2,000 Guineas.

Mushtaq Ahmed of Pakistan(Getty Images)

See story on page 19

Windies players told me India didn’t want to see Pakistan qualify for semifinals: Mushtaq Ahmed

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